CVE-2024-21544: Improper Input Validation in spatie/browsershot
Versions of the package spatie/browsershot before 5.0.1 are vulnerable to Improper Input Validation due to improper URL validation in the setUrl method. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using leading whitespace (%20) before the file:// protocol, resulting in Local File Inclusion, which allows the attacker to read sensitive files on the server.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-21544 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the spatie/browsershot package prior to 5.0.1. Browsershot is a PHP package commonly used to convert webpages into images or PDFs by leveraging headless Chrome or Puppeteer. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the setUrl method, which is responsible for setting the URL to be rendered. Specifically, the method fails to correctly validate URLs that contain leading whitespace characters (encoded as %20) before the file:// protocol. This flaw allows an attacker to bypass intended URL restrictions and trigger a Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack. By exploiting this, an attacker can cause the application to load local files from the server filesystem instead of remote web content. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files such as configuration files, source code, credentials, or other critical data stored on the server. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.7, reflecting a high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and a high scope impact since confidentiality can be compromised without integrity or availability impact. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched in version 5.0.1 of the package. Organizations using spatie/browsershot in their web applications or backend services should consider this vulnerability critical to address due to the risk of sensitive data exposure and potential downstream impacts on confidentiality and trust.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-21544 can be significant, especially for those relying on spatie/browsershot for document generation, web content rendering, or automated screenshot services. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to internal files, including configuration files containing database credentials or API keys, which may facilitate further compromise or data breaches. This can result in loss of confidentiality, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to exposure of personal data), reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the strict regulatory environment in Europe. Additionally, the ease of exploitation without authentication means attackers can remotely target vulnerable systems at scale. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as an initial foothold for more complex attacks, including lateral movement or ransomware deployment. Given the widespread use of PHP packages in European web applications, the threat surface is broad, and unpatched systems represent a critical security gap.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2024-21544, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade spatie/browsershot to version 5.0.1 or later, where the input validation flaw is fixed. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all URLs passed to the setUrl method, ensuring no leading whitespace or unexpected protocols are accepted. 3) Employ application-layer allowlisting to restrict URLs to trusted domains or protocols, explicitly disallowing file:// or other local resource schemes. 4) Conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on local file inclusion vulnerabilities in all components that handle URL inputs. 5) Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns indicative of LFI attempts. 6) Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or errors related to file inclusion. 7) Educate developers on secure coding practices regarding URL handling and input validation. 8) Isolate critical backend services and limit file system permissions to minimize the impact of potential file disclosures. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching and help reduce the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden
CVE-2024-21544: Improper Input Validation in spatie/browsershot
Description
Versions of the package spatie/browsershot before 5.0.1 are vulnerable to Improper Input Validation due to improper URL validation in the setUrl method. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using leading whitespace (%20) before the file:// protocol, resulting in Local File Inclusion, which allows the attacker to read sensitive files on the server.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-21544 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the spatie/browsershot package prior to 5.0.1. Browsershot is a PHP package commonly used to convert webpages into images or PDFs by leveraging headless Chrome or Puppeteer. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the setUrl method, which is responsible for setting the URL to be rendered. Specifically, the method fails to correctly validate URLs that contain leading whitespace characters (encoded as %20) before the file:// protocol. This flaw allows an attacker to bypass intended URL restrictions and trigger a Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack. By exploiting this, an attacker can cause the application to load local files from the server filesystem instead of remote web content. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files such as configuration files, source code, credentials, or other critical data stored on the server. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.7, reflecting a high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and a high scope impact since confidentiality can be compromised without integrity or availability impact. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched in version 5.0.1 of the package. Organizations using spatie/browsershot in their web applications or backend services should consider this vulnerability critical to address due to the risk of sensitive data exposure and potential downstream impacts on confidentiality and trust.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-21544 can be significant, especially for those relying on spatie/browsershot for document generation, web content rendering, or automated screenshot services. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to internal files, including configuration files containing database credentials or API keys, which may facilitate further compromise or data breaches. This can result in loss of confidentiality, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to exposure of personal data), reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the strict regulatory environment in Europe. Additionally, the ease of exploitation without authentication means attackers can remotely target vulnerable systems at scale. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as an initial foothold for more complex attacks, including lateral movement or ransomware deployment. Given the widespread use of PHP packages in European web applications, the threat surface is broad, and unpatched systems represent a critical security gap.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2024-21544, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade spatie/browsershot to version 5.0.1 or later, where the input validation flaw is fixed. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all URLs passed to the setUrl method, ensuring no leading whitespace or unexpected protocols are accepted. 3) Employ application-layer allowlisting to restrict URLs to trusted domains or protocols, explicitly disallowing file:// or other local resource schemes. 4) Conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on local file inclusion vulnerabilities in all components that handle URL inputs. 5) Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns indicative of LFI attempts. 6) Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or errors related to file inclusion. 7) Educate developers on secure coding practices regarding URL handling and input validation. 8) Isolate critical backend services and limit file system permissions to minimize the impact of potential file disclosures. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching and help reduce the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- snyk
- Date Reserved
- 2023-12-22T12:33:20.124Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68e0f3c1b66c7f7acdd3e957
Added to database: 10/4/2025, 10:15:29 AM
Last enriched: 10/4/2025, 10:32:35 AM
Last updated: 10/16/2025, 2:16:02 PM
Views: 1
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