CVE-2015-3372 in Node Invite Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Node Invite module before 6.x-2.5 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a node title.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2019
The CVE-2015-3372 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Node Invite module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.x-2.5. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of node titles, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the module's processing logic, allowing attackers to craft malicious node titles that bypass security controls. The vulnerability impacts the core security model of Drupal installations by enabling attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the application and its authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with appropriate permissions creates or modifies a node title containing malicious script payloads. The Node Invite module fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in web pages, creating an XSS vector that can execute in the browser context of other authenticated users who view the affected content. This flaw specifically targets the node title field processing, which is commonly used in various content management scenarios including invitations, notifications, and content organization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which encompasses various forms of injection vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3372 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the Drupal environment. An attacker could craft malicious node titles that, when viewed by other users, could execute scripts to steal session cookies, modify content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with basic permissions could potentially exploit this flaw. This creates a significant risk for organizations where user permissions are not strictly enforced, as a compromised low-privilege account could be used to launch broader attacks against the system. The attack surface includes any Drupal installation utilizing the Node Invite module with affected versions, potentially affecting various deployment scenarios including community portals, enterprise content management systems, and collaborative platforms. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1566.001: Credential Access: Phishing, as it enables the delivery of malicious scripts that can harvest credentials or redirect users to phishing sites.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-3372 should immediately implement the recommended security patches and updates to the Node Invite module, specifically upgrading to version 6.x-2.5 or later. System administrators should also consider implementing additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-generated content, and regular security audits of installed modules. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all Drupal modules updated and following secure coding practices that prevent XSS attacks through proper input sanitization and output escaping. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads, and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their Drupal installations. The security community has identified this as a critical vulnerability requiring immediate remediation, as it can be exploited without special privileges and can have cascading effects on the overall security posture of Drupal-based systems.