CVE-2025-32021: Weblate VCS credentials included in URL parameters are potentially logged and saved into browser history as plaintext

Published Apr 15, 2025
·
Updated

Summary

When creating a new component from an existing component that has a source code repository URL specified in settings, this URL is included in the client's URL parameters during the creation process. If, for example, the source code repository URL contains GitHub credentials, the confidential PAT and username are shown in plaintext and get saved into browser history. Moreover, if the request URL is logged, the credentials are written to the logs in plaintext.

The problematic URL in question is of this form:

https://<HOST>/create/component/vcs/?repo=https%3A%2F%2F<GITHUB USERNAME>%3A<GITHUB PAT>%40github.com%2F<REPOSITORY OWNER>%2F<REPOSITORY NAME>.git&project=1&category=&name=<REDACTED>&slug=<REDACTED>&isglossary=False&vcs=github&sourcelanguage=228&license=&sourcecomponent=1#existing

If using Weblate official Docker image, nginx logs the URL and the token in plaintext:

nginx stdout | 127.0.0.1 - - [04/Apr/2025:10:46:54 +0000] "GET /create/component/vcs/?repo=https%3A%2F%2F<GITHUB USERNAME>%3A<GITHUB PAT>%40github.com%2F<REPOSITORY OWNER>%2F<REPOSITORY NAME>.git&project=1&category=&name=<REDACTED>&slug=<REDACTED>&isglossary=False&vcs=github&sourcelanguage=228&license=&sourcecomponent=1 HTTP/1.1" 200 17625 "<REDACTED>" "Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.15; rv:136.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/136.0"

Reproduction

1. In a project, create a component which has the Repository push URL setting configured with, for example, a GitHub repository URL including a username and a PAT. 2. In the same project, create another component using the From existing component option and selecting the previous component as the source. Click Continue. 3. Observe that the URL parameter repo includes the secret PAT configured in the original components settings. The URL with the token is potentially saved as plaintext in browser history and server logs. 4. Select a translation file to import and click Continue. 5. Observe again the same repo parameter in the URL.

Impact

- If server logs are compromised, the attacker may be able to gain access to private repositories potentially containing sensitive source code. - Under common browser settings, the URL containing VCS credentials is saved into browser history. Browser extensions, for example, are often able to read the history and thus offer a realistic attack vector to gain access to the credentials.

Other sources

Weblate is a web based localization tool. Prior to version 5.11, when creating a new component from an existing component that has a source code repository URL specified in settings, this URL is included in the client's URL parameters during the creation process. If, for example, the source code repository URL contains GitHub credentials, the confidential PAT and username are shown in plaintext and get saved into browser history. Moreover, if the request URL is logged, the credentials are written to logs in plaintext. If using Weblate official Docker image, nginx logs the URL and the token in plaintext. This issue is patched in version 5.11.

MITRE

Affected Software

2 affected componentsFixes available
pip/weblate<5.11
5.11
Weblate weblate<5.11

Event History

Apr 15, 2025
Advisory Published
via GitHub·02:20 PM
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:39 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:39 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 PM
Affected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-32021?

CVE-2025-32021 is considered a medium severity vulnerability.

2

What is the impact of CVE-2025-32021?

CVE-2025-32021 can expose sensitive credentials in URL parameters during the creation of components.

3

How do I fix CVE-2025-32021?

To fix CVE-2025-32021, upgrade to Weblate version 5.12 or later.

4

Which software is affected by CVE-2025-32021?

CVE-2025-32021 affects Weblate versions up to and including 5.11.

5

What steps should I take if I am affected by CVE-2025-32021?

If affected by CVE-2025-32021, immediately upgrade your Weblate installation to a secure version.

Contact

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