CVE-2024-45312 Arbitrary language parameter can passed to `aspell` executable via spelling requests in overleaf
Attackers can manipulate language parameters to force the server to load arbitrary dictionary files, potentially exposing sensitive data within the server scope.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2024-45312?
CVE-2024-45312 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in overleaf, published on 2 Sep 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-45312?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Overleaf Overleaf.
How do I fix CVE-2024-45312?
No fix has been published for CVE-2024-45312 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2024-45312 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-45312 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in overleaf
Sources
Also known as GHSA-pxm4-p454-vppg.