CVE-2015-3389 in Public Download Count Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Download counts report page in the Public Download Count module (pubdlcnt) 7.x-1.x-dev and earlier for Drupal allows remote authnticated 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-2015-3389 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Public Download Count module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 7.x-1.x-dev and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the Download counts report page functionality, making it a critical security concern for Drupal installations that utilize this module. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and its users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Public Download Count module's report generation functionality. When the module processes user-supplied data for display in the download counts report, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This weakness creates an environment where authenticated users can manipulate the input parameters to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate permissions can exploit this weakness to compromise other users within the same system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for Drupal administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining web application integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in the browsers of other authenticated users, potentially leading to session theft, data exfiltration, and further privilege escalation within the Drupal environment. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate functionality of the Public Download Count module but also poses risks to the broader security posture of the website. When combined with other vulnerabilities or used in conjunction with social engineering tactics, this XSS flaw can serve as a stepping stone for more comprehensive attacks. The presence of this vulnerability in development versions indicates that the security measures were insufficiently tested or implemented before release, highlighting the importance of proper security validation in software development lifecycle processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3389 should prioritize immediate remediation through module updates and version upgrades to the latest stable releases of the Public Download Count module. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection, utilizing the principle of least privilege for module permissions and access controls. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities within their Drupal installations and implement Content Security Policy headers to provide additional protection against script injection attacks. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security audits, proper code review processes, and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while user education and awareness programs can help prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability.