CVE-2024-21549: Improper Input Validation in spatie/browsershot
Versions of the package spatie/browsershot before 5.0.3 are vulnerable to Improper Input Validation due to improper URL validation through the setUrl method. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by utilizing view-source:file://, which allows for arbitrary file reading on a local file. **Note:** This is a bypass of the fix for [CVE-2024-21544](https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-PHP-SPATIEBROWSERSHOT-8496745).
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-21549 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the PHP package spatie/browsershot prior to 5.0.3. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the setUrl method, which fails to adequately sanitize or validate URLs passed to it. Specifically, an attacker can exploit this flaw by using a crafted URL with the scheme view-source:file://, enabling arbitrary local file reading on the host system where the package is used. This vulnerability effectively bypasses the previous fix implemented for CVE-2024-21544, indicating that the initial remediation was insufficient to prevent malicious URL schemes from being processed. Browsershot is a popular PHP package that provides an interface to headless Chrome or Chromium for generating screenshots or PDFs of web pages. Because it interacts with URLs and renders content, improper validation can allow an attacker to trick the system into reading local files, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, credentials, or source code. The CVSS 4.0 score of 7.7 reflects a network-exploitable vulnerability that requires no privileges or user interaction, with a high impact on confidentiality due to unauthorized local file disclosure. The scope is high, as the vulnerability affects the security boundary of the application using Browsershot, potentially exposing internal files to remote attackers. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the ease of exploitation and severity warrant prompt attention.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-21549 can be significant, especially for those relying on spatie/browsershot in web applications or automated reporting systems. Unauthorized local file reading can lead to leakage of sensitive data such as private keys, database credentials, internal documentation, or personally identifiable information (PII), which is particularly critical under the GDPR framework. Exposure of such data can result in regulatory fines, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Additionally, attackers could leverage the information gained to further compromise the environment or escalate privileges. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, which often handle sensitive data and are subject to strict compliance requirements, are at heightened risk. The vulnerability's network accessibility and lack of required authentication mean that attackers can exploit it remotely without user interaction, increasing the threat surface. Given the widespread use of PHP and the popularity of Browsershot in European web development, the potential for exploitation exists across multiple industries and organization sizes.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately upgrade spatie/browsershot to version 5.0.3 or later, where the issue has been addressed. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all URLs passed to the setUrl method, explicitly disallowing non-HTTP/HTTPS schemes such as file:// or view-source:. Additionally, consider implementing application-layer controls to restrict the execution environment of Browsershot, such as sandboxing or running it with minimal privileges to limit the impact of any potential exploitation. Monitoring and logging usage of Browsershot for anomalous URL patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on URL handling in applications using Browsershot. Finally, ensure that sensitive files on the host system have appropriate access controls to minimize exposure even if arbitrary file read is attempted.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden
CVE-2024-21549: Improper Input Validation in spatie/browsershot
Description
Versions of the package spatie/browsershot before 5.0.3 are vulnerable to Improper Input Validation due to improper URL validation through the setUrl method. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by utilizing view-source:file://, which allows for arbitrary file reading on a local file. **Note:** This is a bypass of the fix for [CVE-2024-21544](https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-PHP-SPATIEBROWSERSHOT-8496745).
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-21549 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the PHP package spatie/browsershot prior to 5.0.3. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the setUrl method, which fails to adequately sanitize or validate URLs passed to it. Specifically, an attacker can exploit this flaw by using a crafted URL with the scheme view-source:file://, enabling arbitrary local file reading on the host system where the package is used. This vulnerability effectively bypasses the previous fix implemented for CVE-2024-21544, indicating that the initial remediation was insufficient to prevent malicious URL schemes from being processed. Browsershot is a popular PHP package that provides an interface to headless Chrome or Chromium for generating screenshots or PDFs of web pages. Because it interacts with URLs and renders content, improper validation can allow an attacker to trick the system into reading local files, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, credentials, or source code. The CVSS 4.0 score of 7.7 reflects a network-exploitable vulnerability that requires no privileges or user interaction, with a high impact on confidentiality due to unauthorized local file disclosure. The scope is high, as the vulnerability affects the security boundary of the application using Browsershot, potentially exposing internal files to remote attackers. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the ease of exploitation and severity warrant prompt attention.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-21549 can be significant, especially for those relying on spatie/browsershot in web applications or automated reporting systems. Unauthorized local file reading can lead to leakage of sensitive data such as private keys, database credentials, internal documentation, or personally identifiable information (PII), which is particularly critical under the GDPR framework. Exposure of such data can result in regulatory fines, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Additionally, attackers could leverage the information gained to further compromise the environment or escalate privileges. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, which often handle sensitive data and are subject to strict compliance requirements, are at heightened risk. The vulnerability's network accessibility and lack of required authentication mean that attackers can exploit it remotely without user interaction, increasing the threat surface. Given the widespread use of PHP and the popularity of Browsershot in European web development, the potential for exploitation exists across multiple industries and organization sizes.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately upgrade spatie/browsershot to version 5.0.3 or later, where the issue has been addressed. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all URLs passed to the setUrl method, explicitly disallowing non-HTTP/HTTPS schemes such as file:// or view-source:. Additionally, consider implementing application-layer controls to restrict the execution environment of Browsershot, such as sandboxing or running it with minimal privileges to limit the impact of any potential exploitation. Monitoring and logging usage of Browsershot for anomalous URL patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on URL handling in applications using Browsershot. Finally, ensure that sensitive files on the host system have appropriate access controls to minimize exposure even if arbitrary file read is attempted.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- snyk
- Date Reserved
- 2023-12-22T12:33:20.128Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68e0f3c1b66c7f7acdd3e952
Added to database: 10/4/2025, 10:15:29 AM
Last enriched: 10/4/2025, 10:34:26 AM
Last updated: 10/16/2025, 2:41:52 PM
Views: 3
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