Arbitrary Language Parameter Vulnerability in Overleaf Community Edition and Server Pro

CVE-2024-45312
5.3MEDIUM

Key Information

Vendor
Overleaf
Status
Overleaf
Vendor
CVE Published:
2 September 2024

Summary

Overleaf is a web-based collaborative LaTeX editor. Overleaf Community Edition and Server Pro prior to version 5.0.7 (or 4.2.7 for the 4.x series) contain a vulnerability that allows an arbitrary language parameter in client spelling requests to be passed to the `aspell` executable running on the server. This causes `aspell` to attempt to load a dictionary file with an arbitrary filename. File access is limited to the scope of the overleaf server. The problem is patched in versions 5.0.7 and 4.2.7. Previous versions can be upgraded using the Overleaf toolkit `bin/upgrade` command. Users unable to upgrade may block POST requests to `/spelling/check` via a Web Application Firewall will prevent access to the vulnerable spell check feature. However, upgrading is advised.

Affected Version(s)

overleaf < 4.0.0, 4.2.7

overleaf < 5.0.0, 5.0.7

CVSS V3.1

Score:
5.3
Severity:
MEDIUM
Confidentiality:
Low
Integrity:
None
Availability:
None
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
None
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • Vulnerability published.

  • Vulnerability Reserved.

Collectors

NVD DatabaseMitre Database
.