CVE-2020-19924 in Boostnote
Summary
by MITRE • 05/19/2021
In Boostnote 0.12.1, exporting to PDF contains opportunities for XSS attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19924 affects Boostnote version 0.12.1 and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the PDF export functionality. This issue arises when users attempt to export notes containing malicious content to PDF format, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise user systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of note content during the PDF generation process, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser when the exported PDF is opened.
The technical flaw manifests in the PDF export module where user-generated content is directly incorporated into the PDF without proper sanitization of potentially dangerous elements. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically categorizing the issue as a cross-site scripting weakness. When users export notes containing script tags or other malicious payloads, these elements are embedded directly into the PDF document structure, creating opportunities for execution when the PDF is opened in a browser environment that supports script execution within PDF viewers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft specially formatted notes containing malicious JavaScript code that executes when the victim opens the exported PDF document, potentially compromising the user's system or accessing sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, as users expect exported documents to be safe and neutral.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1211 technique for exploitation of web applications. The attack surface is expanded by the PDF export functionality, which provides an additional vector for attackers to deliver malicious payloads. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policies within the PDF export functionality. Organizations using Boostnote should immediately update to versions that address this vulnerability, while also implementing additional security measures such as restricting export functionality in high-risk environments and monitoring for suspicious note content that may indicate attempts to exploit this weakness.