CVE-2015-4392 in Display Suite Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Display Suite module 7.x-2.7 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to field display settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2019
The CVE-2015-4392 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Display Suite module version 7.x-2.7 for Drupal platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess sufficient privileges to modify field display settings within the Drupal administration interface. The flaw exists in the module's handling of user-provided input during the configuration of field displays, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it enables attackers to manipulate the user interface, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or stealing session cookies. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the flaw may manifest through multiple pathways within the field display configuration process, making it particularly challenging to defend against through simple input validation measures.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack where malicious input is processed by the server and subsequently returned to other users without proper sanitization. The flaw resides in how the Display Suite module handles field configuration data, particularly when rendering display settings that may contain user-controllable content. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. When authenticated users with appropriate permissions modify field display settings, the module fails to adequately sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser when they view the affected field displays, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the Drupal platform. The authentication requirement means that attackers must first compromise a legitimate user account or escalate privileges, but once achieved, the impact can be significant.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4392 extends beyond immediate script execution to encompass broader security implications for Drupal-based web applications. Organizations relying on Display Suite for content management face potential exposure to persistent attacks where malicious users can establish backdoors through injected scripts or manipulate content presentation to deceive users. The vulnerability's presence in the field display settings functionality means that even seemingly benign configuration changes can become attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for sites with multiple content editors or administrators. Attackers can craft malicious field display configurations that appear legitimate to other users, potentially leading to widespread compromise across the user base. The vulnerability also enables exploitation of the broader Drupal ecosystem, as successful XSS attacks can be used to establish footholds for more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data manipulation within the content management system. Furthermore, the impact extends to user trust and brand reputation, as compromised sites can be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing attacks against visitors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4392 should prioritize immediate patching of the Display Suite module to version 7.x-2.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping measures at multiple layers of their application architecture, ensuring that all user-controllable data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or rendered. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting what authenticated users can modify within the system. Regular security auditing of Drupal modules and core components should be implemented to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.002 which addresses command and script injection, as the vulnerability enables similar attack vectors through web-based script injection. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, though these should complement rather than replace proper input validation and sanitization measures. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual administrative activities or configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security training for administrators can help prevent privilege escalation through social engineering or credential compromise attacks.