Source: cve@mitre.org
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FAQ Ask module 5.x and 6.x before 6.x-2.0, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
A critical cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the FAQ Ask module for Drupal, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into web pages. This vulnerability can lead to account compromise, data theft, and website defacement, impacting user trust and potentially leading to significant financial and reputational damage.
Step 1: Payload Delivery: An attacker crafts a malicious JavaScript payload (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>) and submits it through a vulnerable input field within the FAQ Ask module, such as the question or answer fields.
Step 2: Data Storage: The module stores the attacker's payload in the database, along with the user's question or answer.
Step 3: Page Rendering: When a user views the page containing the malicious content (e.g., the FAQ page), the module retrieves the stored data from the database.
Step 4: Payload Execution: The module displays the retrieved data, including the attacker's JavaScript payload, without proper sanitization or encoding. The user's browser then executes the injected JavaScript code, allowing the attacker to perform malicious actions.
The root cause of CVE-2009-4516 is a failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input within the FAQ Ask module before rendering it in the web browser. Specifically, the module likely processes user-submitted data, such as questions or answers, and displays it on the website without adequate HTML encoding or input validation. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code (the payload) into the input fields. When a user views the page containing the injected code, their browser executes the JavaScript, enabling the attacker to perform actions on behalf of the user, such as stealing cookies, redirecting to phishing sites, or defacing the website. The lack of proper output encoding is the core flaw.
While no specific APTs are directly linked to this specific CVE, XSS vulnerabilities are commonly used by various threat actors. This vulnerability could be exploited by any attacker with basic web knowledge. CISA KEV status is unlikely given the age of the vulnerability and the availability of patches, but it remains a potential attack vector if systems are not properly updated.
Web server logs: Look for unusual HTTP requests containing JavaScript code or HTML tags in input parameters (e.g., question, answer fields).
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Implement rules to detect XSS payloads in HTTP requests and responses.
Web Application Firewalls (WAF): Configure a WAF to block XSS attacks by inspecting and filtering malicious input.
Content Security Policy (CSP) violations: Monitor for CSP violations in browser consoles, which can indicate XSS attempts.
Network traffic analysis: Examine network traffic for suspicious JavaScript execution or redirects.
Upgrade the FAQ Ask module to version 6.x-2.0 or later.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious input.
Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the execution of JavaScript from untrusted sources.
Sanitize all user-supplied input before displaying it on the website. This includes HTML encoding and escaping special characters.
Regularly scan the website for vulnerabilities using automated tools.
Keep Drupal core and all modules up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Implement a robust backup and recovery plan to restore the website in case of a successful attack.