CVE-2015-4388 in Current Search Links Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Current Search Links module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal, when the "Append the keywords passed by the user to the list" option is disabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted search query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2019
The CVE-2015-4388 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Current Search Links module for Drupal 7.x-1.x versions prior to 7.x-1.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of user input in search queries, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the module's search link generation functionality, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that rely heavily on user-generated search interactions.
The technical flaw manifests when the "Append the keywords passed by the user to the list" option is disabled, which creates a code path where user-supplied search terms are not properly sanitized before being rendered in the search results display. This configuration setting effectively disables the automatic sanitization that would normally occur, allowing malicious payloads to persist in the search link generation process. Attackers can craft specific search queries containing malicious script tags or HTML elements that get executed when other users view the search results or click on the affected links. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no privileged access, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise user sessions or deface websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft through the exploitation of browser-based vulnerabilities. When combined with other attack vectors or used in conjunction with social engineering techniques, this XSS vulnerability can facilitate more complex compromise scenarios. The vulnerability affects all Drupal installations using the Current Search Links module version 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1, regardless of the specific website configuration or content management practices in place, making it a widespread concern across the Drupal ecosystem.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched version 7.x-1.1 of the Current Search Links module to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, deploying web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, and configuring Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for phishing attacks that leverage web-based vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated Drupal modules, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration options can create significant security risks when combined with improper input handling practices.