CVE-2016-1913 in Redhen Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Redhen module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.11 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with certain access to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, related to (1) individual contacts, (2) notes, or (3) engagement scores.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The CVE-2016-1913 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Redhen module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.11. This vulnerability exposes Drupal installations to persistent security risks by allowing authenticated attackers with specific privileges to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The Redhen module, designed for contact management and engagement tracking, became a vector for attackers to exploit the underlying web application security weaknesses through three distinct attack vectors involving individual contacts, notes, and engagement scores. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 indicates a failure in input validation and output encoding, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users with sufficient privileges manipulate the module's data handling processes to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into the application's user interface elements. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the XSS vectors operate within the context of legitimate users, making detection more challenging and the attack more persistent. The vulnerability's relationship to the ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique demonstrates how attackers can exploit web application flaws to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code within victim environments.
The operational implications of CVE-2016-1913 are significant for organizations relying on Drupal content management systems with the Redhen module installed. Attackers can compromise user sessions, steal cookies, and potentially escalate privileges within the application's access control framework. The vulnerability affects not only individual user data but also the overall integrity of the contact management system, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate engagement metrics and contact information. Organizations may experience data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive contact records, and potential compromise of the entire Drupal installation if proper input sanitization measures are not implemented. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple data types within the module indicates a systemic flaw in the application's data handling architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1913 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Redhen module to version 7.x-1.11 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter and escape all user-supplied data before processing or rendering within web interfaces. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews of the module's data handling functions, particularly focusing on the three identified vectors. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, regular security audits of third-party modules, and maintaining updated security monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper validation of user inputs as outlined in OWASP's top security risks, emphasizing that even authenticated users with legitimate access can pose significant threats when input validation is insufficient.