CVE-2015-7232 in OSF Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in unspecified administration pages in the OSF module 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.1 for Drupal, when the OSF Ontology module is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2017
The CVE-2015-7232 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the OSF module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 7.x-3.x prior to 7.x-3.1. This vulnerability exists within unspecified administrative pages and becomes exploitable when the OSF Ontology module is enabled, creating a dangerous attack surface that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a client-side attack vector means that malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the OSF module's administrative interfaces. When the OSF Ontology module is enabled, it creates additional entry points where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This failure to implement proper sanitization techniques creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it targets administrative pages, which typically contain sensitive information and privileged functionality that could be leveraged by attackers to escalate their privileges or gain deeper system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7232 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and manipulate system configurations through the compromised administrative interfaces. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to modify content, create backdoors, or even take complete control of the Drupal site's administrative functions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain current security patches or proper monitoring systems. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a common vector for advanced persistent threats that can persist in compromised systems for extended periods.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to OSF module version 7.x-3.1 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the input validation gaps. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied data within administrative interfaces can provide defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable modules and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following security best practices such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments, which align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS attack vectors.