CVE-2024-6485 Bootstrap XSS Vulnerability: Details & Fix

by Alex Johnson 57 views

This article delves into the medium-severity security vulnerability, CVE-2024-6485, detected in bootstrap-3.3.7.js and bootstrap-3.3.7.min.js. We'll explore the nature of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and the recommended steps to mitigate this risk. This issue was brought to attention within the discussion category of billmcchesney1's concord-website project, highlighting the importance of staying informed about security updates in commonly used libraries.

Understanding CVE-2024-6485

At its core, CVE-2024-6485 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found within the button plugin of Bootstrap 3.3.7. The specific area of concern is the data-loading-text attribute. This attribute is intended to display text while a button is in a loading state, but it can be exploited by attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code. When a user interacts with a button that has been injected with this malicious code, the script can execute, potentially leading to various security compromises.

Vulnerable Libraries

The vulnerability affects the following libraries:

  • bootstrap-3.3.7.js
  • bootstrap-3.3.7.min.js

These files are part of the widely-used Bootstrap framework, which is a popular choice for developing responsive, mobile-first web projects. The vulnerability's presence in these core files underscores the importance of promptly addressing security concerns in foundational libraries.

Location and Context

The vulnerable libraries were identified in the concord-website project, specifically within the /assets/wmt/plugins/bootstrap/js/ directory. The identified instances are:

  • /assets/wmt/plugins/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.js
  • /assets/wmt/plugins/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.min.js

This context is crucial for developers and security professionals to quickly locate and address the vulnerability within their projects. Understanding the file paths and the project in which the vulnerability was found streamlines the remediation process.

Discovery Details

The vulnerability was found in the HEAD commit e18fd672daa5561842258223a173ced78ea399b2 of the concord-website repository. It was also identified in the master branch, indicating that the issue is present in the main codebase. This information helps in pinpointing the exact point in the project's history where the vulnerability was introduced, which can be valuable for understanding the scope of the problem.

Delving into the Vulnerability Details

This XSS vulnerability in Bootstrap 3.3.7 stems from how the data-loading-text attribute is handled within the button plugin. The data-loading-text attribute allows developers to specify text that should be displayed on a button when it's in a loading state, providing feedback to the user that an action is in progress. However, if an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code into this attribute, they can execute arbitrary scripts in the user's browser when the button's loading state is triggered. This is a classic example of an XSS vulnerability, where untrusted data is used without proper sanitization, leading to potential security breaches.

The Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves injecting malicious JavaScript code into the data-loading-text attribute of a button element. This injection can occur in various ways, such as through a compromised database, a vulnerable form input, or any other mechanism that allows an attacker to control the content of the data-loading-text attribute. Once the malicious code is injected, it will be executed when the button's loading state is activated, potentially compromising the user's session, stealing sensitive information, or performing other malicious actions.

Impact of the Vulnerability

The potential impact of this vulnerability is significant. An attacker could:

  • Steal user credentials: By injecting JavaScript code that captures user input, such as usernames and passwords, attackers can steal sensitive credentials.
  • Hijack user sessions: Malicious scripts can be used to steal session cookies, allowing attackers to hijack user sessions and impersonate legitimate users.
  • Deface websites: Attackers can modify the content of a website by injecting JavaScript code that alters the DOM (Document Object Model), leading to defacement.
  • Redirect users to malicious sites: Malicious scripts can redirect users to phishing websites or other malicious destinations, potentially infecting their devices with malware.
  • Perform actions on behalf of the user: If a user is logged in and an attacker can execute JavaScript code in their session, the attacker can perform actions on behalf of the user, such as making purchases, changing account settings, or posting content.

Publication and Resources

The vulnerability was published on July 11, 2024, and is documented under CVE-2024-6485. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Mend Vulnerability Database entry for this CVE: CVE-2024-6485.

CVSS 3 Score Breakdown (6.4)

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) provides a standardized way to assess the severity of security vulnerabilities. CVE-2024-6485 has been assigned a CVSS 3 base score of 6.4, which indicates a medium severity vulnerability. Let's break down the score metrics to understand the factors contributing to this rating. Analyzing the CVSS score helps prioritize remediation efforts and understand the potential risk associated with the vulnerability. The score is derived from a combination of exploitability metrics and impact metrics, providing a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability's severity.

Exploitability Metrics

Exploitability metrics reflect the ease with which a vulnerability can be exploited. For CVE-2024-6485, the exploitability metrics are as follows:

  • Attack Vector (AV:N): Network. This indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited over a network, meaning that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely.
  • Attack Complexity (AC:H): High. This suggests that exploiting the vulnerability requires specialized conditions or circumstances. The attacker may need to overcome certain obstacles or have specific knowledge to successfully exploit the vulnerability.
  • Privileges Required (PR:N): None. This means that the attacker does not need any privileges or credentials to exploit the vulnerability. This increases the accessibility of the vulnerability to potential attackers.
  • User Interaction (UI:R): Required. This indicates that user interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability. For example, a user might need to click on a malicious link or button for the exploit to occur. This reduces the likelihood of exploitation compared to vulnerabilities that do not require user interaction.
  • Scope (S:U): Unchanged. This means that the vulnerability's exploitation only affects the component where the vulnerability exists, without affecting other components of the system.

Impact Metrics

Impact metrics describe the potential consequences of a successful exploit. The impact metrics for CVE-2024-6485 are:

  • Confidentiality Impact (C:H): High. A successful exploit could lead to a high level of information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive data to the attacker.
  • Integrity Impact (I:L): Low. The vulnerability may allow the attacker to modify data, but the impact is limited. The attacker may not be able to make significant changes to the system's integrity.
  • Availability Impact (A:L): Low. The vulnerability may cause a partial disruption of service, but the system is likely to remain mostly available.

Understanding the Score

The CVSS 3 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity vulnerability that requires careful attention. While the attack complexity is high and user interaction is required, the potential for high confidentiality impact makes this a significant security concern. Organizations using Bootstrap 3.3.7 should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to protect against potential XSS attacks.

For more information on CVSS3 Scores, you can refer to the FIRST CVSS Calculator.

Suggested Fix: Upgrade Bootstrap

The recommended solution to address CVE-2024-6485 is to upgrade to a version of Bootstrap that is not affected by this vulnerability. The suggested fix resolution is to upgrade to Bootstrap version 4.0.0 or later. This version includes fixes that mitigate the XSS vulnerability associated with the data-loading-text attribute.

Upgrade Instructions

  1. Backup your project: Before making any changes, it's crucial to back up your project. This ensures that you can revert to a stable state if any issues arise during the upgrade process.
  2. Identify Bootstrap files: Locate the Bootstrap CSS and JavaScript files in your project. These files are typically located in the /assets/wmt/plugins/bootstrap/ directory, as identified in the vulnerability details.
  3. Download the new version: Download the latest version of Bootstrap (4.0.0 or later) from the official Bootstrap website or a trusted CDN. You can find the necessary files and instructions on the Bootstrap documentation page.
  4. Replace the old files: Replace the old Bootstrap files in your project with the new ones. Make sure to update the references to these files in your HTML pages.
  5. Test your application: After upgrading, thoroughly test your application to ensure that everything is working as expected. Pay close attention to any functionality that uses the button plugin or the data-loading-text attribute.
  6. Verify the fix: Confirm that the vulnerability has been resolved by manually testing the affected buttons and attributes. You can also use security scanning tools to verify the fix.

Additional Resources

  • Bootstrap Documentation: Refer to the official Bootstrap documentation for detailed information on upgrading and using the framework: https://getbootstrap.com/
  • GitHub Repository: You can also find the Bootstrap source code and release notes on the official GitHub repository: https://github.com/twbs/bootstrap

Conclusion

CVE-2024-6485 is a medium-severity XSS vulnerability in Bootstrap 3.3.7 that should be addressed promptly. By understanding the nature of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and the recommended fix, developers and security professionals can take the necessary steps to protect their applications and users. Upgrading to Bootstrap 4.0.0 or later is the recommended solution to mitigate this risk. Staying informed about security vulnerabilities and promptly applying patches and upgrades is essential for maintaining a secure web environment.

For more information on web security best practices, visit the OWASP Foundation website.