CVE-2015-4386 in EntityBulkDelete Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in unspecified administration pages in the EntityBulkDelete module 7.x-1.0 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors involving creating or editing (1) comments, (2) taxonomy terms, or (3) nodes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2019
The CVE-2015-4386 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the EntityBulkDelete module for Drupal 7.x-1.0, specifically targeting administrative interfaces. This vulnerability exists in the module's handling of user inputs during content management operations, creating a significant security risk for Drupal installations that utilize this particular module. The flaw manifests in three distinct attack vectors that correspond to fundamental content management operations within Drupal's administrative framework, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core content creation and modification workflows.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the EntityBulkDelete module's administrative pages. When administrators or authorized users perform operations such as creating or editing comments, taxonomy terms, or nodes through the module's interface, the system fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the web response. This insufficient sanitization allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS flaw under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known OWASP Top Ten vulnerability category.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4386 extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the Drupal environment. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets administrative functions where users have elevated privileges, allowing for potential privilege escalation attacks that could result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple content management operations means that attackers can exploit it through various entry points, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation and reducing the effectiveness of simple input validation measures.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content and T1059 for command and control through script injection. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between administrators and the web application, making it particularly effective in targeted attacks against organizations that maintain active Drupal installations with administrative access. Organizations using the EntityBulkDelete module face a significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions, as the vulnerability does not require authentication to the system itself, only the ability to perform administrative operations through the module's interface. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core content management functions that are frequently used by administrators, making it a high-value target for persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4386 should focus on immediate module updates and comprehensive input validation measures. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the EntityBulkDelete module that properly implements input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should also implement additional security layers including web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS payloads, proper content security policy headers to prevent script execution, and regular security audits of third-party modules. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough security testing for contributed modules in open-source platforms like Drupal, as well as the necessity of maintaining updated security practices that include regular module vulnerability assessments and proactive security monitoring. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates for all installed modules and core platform components.