CVE-2015-3364 in Content Analysis Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Content Analysis module before 6.x-1.7 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, which are not properly handled in a log message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2019
The CVE-2015-3364 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Content Analysis module for Drupal versions prior to 6.x-1.7. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The vulnerability specifically manifests in how the module handles log messages, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the logging functionality of the Content Analysis module.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that allow remote attackers to manipulate the log message handling process. When the Content Analysis module processes certain inputs and generates log entries, it fails to properly escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that gets stored in the log and subsequently executed when the log message is rendered in a web browser. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the logging level, which means it can potentially be triggered by various user interactions and system events that generate log entries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3364 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access vectors that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges. When users view log messages containing malicious scripts, the injected code executes in their browser context, allowing for session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence is heightened by the fact that log messages are often displayed in administrative interfaces where privileged users might view them, making the attack surface particularly dangerous for system administrators. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate patching requirements and the underlying architectural issues in input handling. The primary solution involves upgrading to Drupal 6.x-1.7 or later versions where the Content Analysis module properly sanitizes log messages and implements appropriate output encoding. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding policies across all web applications, particularly in logging and reporting functionalities. Security measures should include regular security audits of third-party modules, implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent script execution, and monitoring of log files for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input/output handling, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten security framework and align with the security controls recommended in NIST SP 800-53. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.