CVE-2012-5538: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FileField Sources module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.x be

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-5538 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting filefield sources. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FileField Sources module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.6 for Drupal, when the field has "Reference existing" source enabled, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filename of an uploaded file.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2012-12-03
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: nathan haug

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-12-03 21:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nathan haug filefield sources DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.x-1.0 · 6.x-1.1 · 6.x-1.2 · 6.x-1.3 · 6.x-1.4 · 6.x-1.5 · 6.x-1.x dev · 7.x-1.2 beta1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.x-1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy filefield-sources || rpm -q filefield-sources || filefield-sources --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.x-1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison filefield-sources sudo apt install filefield-sources=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.x-1.0> sudo apt-mark hold filefield-sources

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list filefield-sources sudo dnf downgrade filefield-sources-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.x-1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add filefield-sources

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2012-5538?

filefield sources: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-5538 being exploited?

CVE-2012-5538 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2012-5538 affect?

CVE-2012-5538 affects filefield sources. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FileField Sources module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.6 for Drupal, when the field has "Reference existing" source enabled, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbit

How urgent is CVE-2012-5538?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Drupal vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-4502 MEDIUM 4.0 DOWNGRADE The FileField Sources module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.9 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.9 for Drupal does not properly ch

References

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