CVE-2015-3360 in Term Merge Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Term Merge module before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2019
The CVE-2015-3360 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Term Merge module for Drupal versions prior to 7.x-1.2. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess the necessary permissions to access the term merge functionality within the Drupal content management system. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability exists in the module's handling of term names and associated metadata during the merge process, where malicious inputs can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates through the standard XSS attack vector where an authenticated user can manipulate the term merge functionality to inject malicious code that gets executed when other users view the affected content. This particular implementation flaw likely occurs in the module's template rendering or data processing functions that do not adequately sanitize user inputs before displaying them in HTML contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability affects authenticated users, attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once compromised, they can leverage this flaw to compromise other users within the same Drupal instance. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where multiple users with varying permission levels interact with the term merge functionality, as it could allow attackers to gain access to restricted administrative features or sensitive content.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch provided by Drupal core team for the Term Merge module, upgrading to version 7.x-1.2 or later. The recommended mitigation strategy includes not only applying the official patch but also implementing comprehensive input validation at multiple layers within the application architecture. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and monitor for suspicious user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security auditing of contributed modules and maintaining an updated inventory of all installed Drupal components can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which covers data from information repositories. Organizations should establish secure coding practices that enforce proper escaping of user inputs before rendering them in web contexts, and implement automated security testing that includes dynamic analysis of web application components. Regular security assessments of third-party modules and adherence to security best practices for web application development remain crucial defensive measures against such vulnerabilities.