Critical Vulnerability in TCPDF: Error Function Lacks Proper Sanitization
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-56527: An issue was discovered in TCPDF before 6.8.0. The Error function lacks an htmlspecialchars call for the error message. Affects tcpdf versions < 6.3.5+dfsg1-1+deb11u1. Fixed in 6.3.5+dfsg1-1+deb11u1. How to fix ↓
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Background
TCPDF is a popular open-source PHP library for generating PDF documents. It is widely used in web applications to create dynamic PDF files from HTML content. The library provides various features such as support for different fonts, images, and advanced formatting options. However, a recent vulnerability has been identified that affects multiple versions of TCPDF, which could lead to security issues if not addressed promptly.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in TCPDF before version 6.8.0, where the Error function does not properly sanitize error messages due to the absence of an htmlspecialchars call. This oversight can lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application. If exploited, this could compromise user data and application integrity, making it critical for developers to address this vulnerability.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.3.5+dfsg1-1+deb11u1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade tcpdfTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, developers can manually sanitize error messages by wrapping them in htmlspecialchars before displaying them. For example:
$error_message = htmlspecialchars($error_message, ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');
Conclusion
The identified vulnerability in TCPDF poses a significant risk due to improper error message handling. It is crucial for developers using TCPDF to update to the latest patched versions to mitigate potential security threats. Regular monitoring and updates are essential for maintaining application security.
See every vulnerability recorded for tcpdf →
FAQ
TCPDF is an open-source PHP library used for generating PDF documents from HTML content.
The vulnerability is related to the Error function not properly sanitizing error messages, leading to potential XSS attacks.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
Failure to fix this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to user data and compromise the security of the application.
It is recommended to regularly check for updates and apply them promptly to ensure your application is secure.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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