CVE-2015-3369 in Taxonews Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Taxonews module before 6.x-1.2 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer taxonomy" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a term name in a block.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2019
The CVE-2015-3369 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Taxonews module for Drupal platforms, affecting versions prior to 6.x-1.2 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of term names within block displays, creating a significant security risk for Drupal installations that utilize this functionality. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers who possess the "administer taxonomy" permission to execute malicious code through crafted input, potentially compromising the entire web application and user data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, data theft, and further exploitation of the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Taxonews module's block rendering process. When administrators create or modify taxonomy terms that are subsequently displayed in blocks, the module fails to properly escape or validate the term names before rendering them in the web interface. This omission creates a direct pathway for malicious script execution, as the module directly incorporates user-supplied term names into HTML output without appropriate security measures. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the term name contains script tags or other malicious HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts with sufficient permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of other users who view the affected blocks. This can result in session theft, data exfiltration, and further compromise of the Drupal installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of administrative functionality, meaning that attackers who gain access to accounts with "administer taxonomy" permissions can use this flaw to escalate their privileges or compromise the entire website. The exploitation can lead to persistent malicious code injection, allowing attackers to maintain access and continue exploiting the vulnerability over time. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts and potentially gain further access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3369 primarily focus on immediate patching of the affected Taxonews module versions. Organizations should upgrade to the patched versions 6.x-1.2 and 7.x-1.1, which implement proper input sanitization and output encoding for term names. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict the "administer taxonomy" permission to only trusted users, implementing the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns. Regular security audits should include verification of all installed modules and their versions to ensure compliance with security best practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, which should be implemented consistently across all web applications to prevent similar XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement security awareness training for administrators to prevent unauthorized access to privileged accounts and reduce the risk of exploitation through social engineering or credential compromise.