CVE-2026-114538 in Bootstrap
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2026
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ("Cross-site Scripting") vulnerability in Drupal Bootstrap allows Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). This issue affects Bootstrap versions: from 0.0.0 to 3.45.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a classic instance of Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting or XSS. Specifically located within the Drupal Bootstrap module, this flaw affects all versions from the initial release up to version 3.45.0. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input before it is rendered in the web page context. When a malicious actor injects executable script code into an input field that is subsequently displayed by the application, the browser interprets this injected content as part of the legitimate webpage rather than data. This failure to properly neutralize special characters allows the attacker's scripts to execute within the security context of the victim user's session.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability likely arises because the Bootstrap module processes certain parameters or theme settings without applying adequate encoding mechanisms such as HTML entity encoding or output escaping. In many Drupal modules, data is often passed through template engines that may not automatically escape all variables depending on how they are rendered. If the input contains characters like less-than signs, greater-than signs, or quotation marks, and these are not converted into their safe equivalents, a browser will parse them as HTML tags or script delimiters. This allows for the injection of arbitrary JavaScript code which runs with the privileges of the logged-in user viewing the page. The scope of this vulnerability is significant because it impacts a widely used theme engine module that modifies the appearance and behavior of Drupal sites across numerous installations, thereby increasing the potential attack surface if left unpatched.
The operational impact of exploiting this Cross-site Scripting flaw can vary depending on the privileges of the targeted user but generally includes severe security compromises. An attacker could steal session cookies or authentication tokens, effectively hijacking active sessions and gaining unauthorized access to administrative accounts or sensitive user data. Furthermore, XSS attacks can be used to perform actions on behalf of the victim without their knowledge, such as changing account settings, posting malicious content, or redirecting users to phishing sites designed to harvest credentials. In more advanced scenarios, persistent stored XSS could allow an attacker to embed malware that infects every visitor who views a specific page, leading to broader compromise beyond just individual session theft. This aligns with the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 and maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving Client-side Injection and Web Session Manipulation.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by upgrading the Drupal Bootstrap module to version 3.45.1 or any later release where the input handling logic has been corrected. Administrators should verify that no custom code overrides these security patches after updating. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting the sources from which scripts are allowed to execute, thereby mitigating the impact even if some XSS vectors remain undiscovered. Regular security audits and static application security testing should be employed during development to ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being rendered in HTML contexts, adhering strictly to OWASP guidelines for preventing injection flaws.