CVE-2019-20058 in Bolt
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Bolt 3.7.0, if Symfony Web Profiler is used, allows XSS because unsanitized search?search= input is shown on the _profiler page. NOTE: this is disputed because profiling was never intended for use in production. This is related to CVE-2018-12040.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20058 affects Bolt CMS version 3.7.0 when the Symfony Web Profiler component is enabled. This issue represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input sanitization within the profiling interface. The flaw manifests when users navigate to the _profiler page and submit search queries through the search?search= parameter, where the input is directly rendered without appropriate sanitization measures. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it demonstrates how development tools intended for debugging purposes can introduce security risks when improperly configured or deployed in production environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Symfony Web Profiler's handling of user-supplied search parameters within its interface. When the search parameter is passed through the URL and subsequently displayed on the profiling page, no sanitization or output encoding occurs to prevent malicious script execution. This represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that aligns with CWE-79, which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary weakness in web application security. The vulnerability exists because the profiling component, which is designed to be a development aid for debugging, fails to properly validate or sanitize input that flows directly into the user interface, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it demonstrates how security controls can be bypassed through improper configuration of development tools. Even though the original advisory notes that profiling was never intended for production use, this vulnerability highlights the risk of misconfiguration in enterprise environments where development and production systems may share similar configurations or where security controls are insufficiently enforced. The related CVE-2018-12040 indicates a broader pattern of issues within the Bolt CMS ecosystem where development components introduce security risks when not properly isolated from production environments. This vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper environment segregation and input validation practices. Organizations should ensure that Symfony Web Profiler is completely disabled in production environments and that all development tools are properly configured to prevent accidental exposure. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional defense in depth. Security teams should also implement regular configuration reviews to identify and remediate instances where development tools are inadvertently enabled in production systems. This vulnerability underscores the importance of principle of least privilege and the need for comprehensive security testing that includes validation of all components, regardless of their intended deployment environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1211 for lateral movement through compromised user sessions and T1566 for social engineering attacks that exploit the profiling interface.