CVE-2015-6752 in Search API Autocomplete Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Search API Autocomplete module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal, when the search index is configured to use the HTML filter processor, allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, which are not properly handled in the returned suggestions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2017
The CVE-2015-6752 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Search API Autocomplete module for Drupal 7.x-1.x versions prior to 7.x-1.3. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the search index is configured to utilize the HTML filter processor, creating a dangerous condition that enables authenticated users to execute malicious code through crafted input. The flaw operates at the intersection of web application security and content filtering mechanisms, where the improper handling of search suggestions creates an attack vector that bypasses standard security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of search query results within the autocomplete functionality. When users submit search terms that contain HTML or script content, the module fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before rendering them in the autocomplete suggestions. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, particularly those with the appropriate permissions to access the search functionality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate permissions to search content can exploit this weakness to compromise other users.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-6752 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core search functionality of Drupal sites, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Given that Drupal is widely used for content management systems, the potential attack surface is extensive, particularly in environments where search functionality is heavily utilized. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of web shell or command injection methods.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have valid authentication credentials and appropriate permissions to access the search functionality, making it less severe than vulnerabilities requiring administrative access but still posing significant risks to user sessions and data integrity. Organizations running affected Drupal installations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 7.x-1.3 or applying the relevant security patches. Additional protective measures include implementing stricter input validation, using content security policies, and configuring appropriate access controls to limit the scope of potential attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper security controls are not implemented.