CVE-2024-56519 is a vulnerability identified in the TCPDF library, a widely used PHP class for generating PDF documents. The issue lies in the setSVGStyles function, which does not properly sanitize the SVG font-family attribute before rendering it within PDFs. This improper sanitization leads to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)-like vulnerability (CWE-79), where malicious SVG content can be embedded into PDFs. Since TCPDF processes SVG elements to render vector graphics, an attacker can craft SVG font-family attributes containing malicious payloads that execute when the PDF is viewed or processed by vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, as the attack vector is through the PDF generation process itself, often triggered by user-supplied input. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the high confidentiality impact due to potential data exposure or leakage, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the ease of exploitation and the widespread use of TCPDF in web applications and document generation platforms make this a critical concern. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 6.8.0, and no official patch links were provided at the time of publication, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from users of the library.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56519 can be significant, particularly for those relying on TCPDF for automated PDF generation in web applications, reporting tools, or document management systems. The vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious SVG content that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive information embedded in PDFs or accessible through the PDF generation process. This could lead to data leakage, exposure of personally identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property theft. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and legal services, which frequently generate and exchange PDF documents, are at heightened risk. Additionally, organizations using TCPDF in customer-facing portals or internal document workflows may face reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR if sensitive data is exposed. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the scope to confidentiality breaches, but the ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases the threat surface. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for rapid weaponization remains high.

1. Upgrade TCPDF to version 6.8.0 or later immediately once available, as this version addresses the sanitization issue in setSVGStyles. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied SVG content before it is processed by TCPDF, specifically filtering or escaping font-family attributes to prevent injection of malicious code. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and PDF viewer security settings to limit the execution of embedded scripts or malicious content within PDFs. 4. Monitor and audit PDF generation logs for unusual or unexpected SVG content submissions that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Where feasible, isolate PDF generation processes in sandboxed environments to reduce the risk of lateral movement in case of exploitation. 6. Educate developers and system administrators about the risks associated with SVG content in PDFs and encourage secure coding practices around third-party libraries. 7. Stay updated with vendor advisories and community patches related to TCPDF and SVG processing vulnerabilities.