Stylelint Configuration Disclosure Scanner

Stylelint is a popular tool used by web developers to enforce consistent coding styles in their CSS and other stylesheet languages. It is typically used in projects to automate the detection of stylistic errors in stylesheets before they reach production, ensuring a higher level of code maintainability. This tool is widely adopted within development environments integrated into CI/CD pipelines, helping teams catch errors early. Stylelint is favored for its flexibility, allowing developers to create custom rules and configurations tailored to their projects. Developers rely on .stylelintignore files to exclude specific directories and files from style checks, optimizing workflow efficiency. However, improper handling of these configuration files may expose internal project details if publicly accessible.

The vulnerability being detected revolves around the fact that .stylelintignore files, when improperly configured to be publicly accessible, can lead to Configuration Disclosure. These files, if not securely handled, might expose internal directories, sensitive file paths, and other project structure elements to unauthorized users. With the right conditions, attackers could leverage this information to orchestrate further attacks. For businesses and developers, protecting these files and similar configurations is crucial in maintaining the security and confidentiality of web projects.

The technical details include accessing the .stylelintignore file via an HTTP GET request. If the file is accessible and returns a status code of 200, it indicates a publicly available .stylelintignore file. The vulnerability exploit occurs when the file's content type matches application/octet-stream or text/plain, confirming that the document could potentially reveal insights into the project's structure or configuration. Mitigation involves ensuring no unintended access to such configuration files and adjusting server settings to prevent such accessibility.

Exploiting this vulnerability could allow adversaries to gather intelligence on the project's organizational structure, file paths, and potentially sensitive information stored within those paths. Such exposure could lead to more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attacks and unauthorized data access. Therefore, managing configuration files, like .stylelintignore files, is paramount in preventing broader security issues in digital infrastructure.

REFERENCES

• https://stylelint.io/user-guide/ignore-code