CVE-2015-3381 in Node Basket Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Node basket module 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-2015-3381 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Node basket module for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess the necessary permissions to interact with the module's functionality. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's codebase, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors that involve manipulating module inputs or parameters. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which represents "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", highlighting the fundamental weakness in how user-supplied data is processed and rendered. The attack surface extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to privileged user accounts. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects Drupal installations where the Node basket module is active, which represents a significant portion of Drupal-based websites and web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users leverage their privileges to submit malicious content through the Node basket module's interface. The module fails to properly sanitize or escape user inputs before rendering them in web pages, allowing attackers to inject JavaScript code or HTML fragments that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of attack can be categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1059.007 - "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1566.001 - "Credential Access: Phishing", as attackers can craft malicious payloads to steal session cookies or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as users only need valid authentication credentials to the Drupal system rather than administrative access. The attack vectors typically involve manipulating form fields, URL parameters, or module configuration settings where user input is processed without proper sanitization. The lack of input validation creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users who subsequently view the compromised content, making the vulnerability particularly damaging in multi-user environments where various roles and permissions exist.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3381 extends beyond immediate script execution to potentially compromise entire web applications and user sessions. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, which can lead to session fixation, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to website content. The attack can result in persistent XSS payloads that remain active until the affected module is updated or the compromised session expires. Organizations running Drupal systems with the Node basket module are particularly vulnerable because the flaw can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulate user data, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform more advanced techniques such as credential harvesting, browser fingerprinting, and establishing persistent backdoors within the web application. Additionally, the impact on user trust and brand reputation can be significant, as users may lose confidence in the security of websites that are compromised by such vulnerabilities. The exploitation of this vulnerability can also facilitate lateral movement within network environments where Drupal systems are integrated with other services, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and access additional resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3381 focus on immediate remediation through official security updates and patches provided by Drupal. Organizations should prioritize updating their Drupal installations to versions that include fixes for the Node basket module vulnerability, typically requiring patching to the latest stable releases. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms serves as a fundamental defense against similar vulnerabilities, with developers needing to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Security headers such as Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide additional protection layers by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed, thereby limiting the impact of successful XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in custom modules and themes. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access control measures including role-based permissions and least privilege principles can limit the potential damage from compromised accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and following secure coding guidelines such as those specified in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, though these should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes.