CVE-2015-6753 in Quick Edit Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Quick Edit module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an (1) entity title, related to in-place editing, or a (2) node title.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2017
The vulnerability CVE-2015-6753 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Quick Edit module of Drupal version 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.2. This issue affects web applications built on the Drupal content management system and poses significant security risks to organizations relying on this platform for their digital infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the in-place editing functionality that allows users to modify content directly on the page without navigating to separate edit forms. The flaw enables authenticated users with specific permissions to inject malicious scripts into entity titles and node titles, creating persistent XSS attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the Quick Edit module's handling of user-provided data. When users with appropriate permissions attempt to edit entity titles or node titles through the in-place editing interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the web interface without requiring additional privileges beyond those already granted to authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6753 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the Drupal environment. Attackers could craft malicious titles that, when viewed by other users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content in real-time. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets authenticated users who already possess legitimate access to the system, making detection more difficult and potentially allowing for extended periods of unauthorized access. This issue directly relates to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as the improper handling of input data that can be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement security patches and updates to their Drupal installations, specifically upgrading the Quick Edit module to version 7.x-1.2 or later. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Drupal environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts or lingering malicious content. Additional mitigations include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, configuring proper input validation at multiple layers of the application, and establishing monitoring procedures for unusual content modifications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of scripting languages for execution, and T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain overall system integrity against similar vulnerabilities.