CVE-2015-6751 in Time Tracker Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Time Tracker module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.4 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) notes added to a time entry or (2) activity used to categorize time tracker entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-6751 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Drupal Time Tracker module version 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.4. This security flaw affects web applications running Drupal content management systems where the Time Tracker module is installed and configured. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess certain permissions within the system, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access control is not strictly enforced. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the time tracking functionality, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted web script or HTML content injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Time Tracker module's handling of user inputs related to time entry notes and activity categorization. When authenticated users with appropriate permissions create or modify time entries, the system fails to properly sanitize the data before rendering it in web pages. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors: first through the notes field where time entry details are recorded, and second through the activity field used to categorize time tracking entries. Both vectors demonstrate the same underlying flaw in input processing and output rendering, indicating a systemic weakness in the module's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. Remote authenticated users can leverage these XSS flaws to perform session hijacking attacks, steal sensitive information from authenticated users, redirect them to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. The attack requires only that the malicious user possess specific permissions within the Drupal system, which could include roles such as time tracker administrators or regular users with time entry privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users have access to time tracking functionalities. The potential for privilege escalation exists when combined with other vulnerabilities, as attackers could use these XSS vectors to gain broader access to system resources or user data.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-6751 should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the patched version 7.x-1.4 of the Time Tracker module. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving web application attacks and session management exploitation. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual activity in time tracking modules, particularly around note creation and activity assignment. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as a defensive measure against XSS attacks, though this provides only partial protection against this specific vulnerability. The incident highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in web application development, as well as the necessity of thorough security testing for third-party modules before deployment in production environments.