CVE-2019-15485 in Bolt
Summary
by MITRE
Bolt before 3.6.10 has XSS via createFolder or createFile in Controller/Async/FilesystemManager.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15485 affects Bolt CMS versions prior to 3.6.10 and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability located within the Controller/Async/FilesystemManager.php file. This flaw specifically manifests during the execution of createFolder or createFile operations, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that utilize Bolt's file management capabilities. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with appropriate privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's file management interface, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the filesystem management controller. When users attempt to create new folders or files through the asynchronous interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web response. This creates an opportunity for attackers to embed malicious javascript code within folder or file names, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting flaw, specifically demonstrating the dangerous combination of user input processing and inadequate output encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15485 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the Bolt CMS environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the application's file management interface to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core file management functionality, which is often used by administrators and content creators who may have elevated privileges within the system. This creates a potential attack vector that could allow for persistent compromise of the entire CMS infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the official patch released by Bolt CMS version 3.6.10, which addresses the input sanitization issues within the FilesystemManager controller. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied data, and regular security audits of web application components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to credential access through phishing, as the XSS could be leveraged to steal user credentials or session tokens. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining comprehensive logging of file management operations to detect potential exploitation attempts.