RCE in Overleaf

CVE-2024-45313

Overleaf is a web-based collaborative LaTeX editor. When installing Server Pro using the Overleaf Toolkit from before 2024-07-17 or legacy docker-compose.yml from before 2024-08-28, the configuration for LaTeX compiles was insecure by default, requiring the administrator to enable the security features via a configuration setting (`SIBLING_CONTAINERS_ENABLED` in Toolkit, `SANDBOXED_COMPILES` in legacy docker-compose/custom deployments). If these security features are not enabled then users have access to the `sharelatex` container resources (filesystem, network, environment variables) when running compiles, leading to multiple file access vulnerabilities, either directly or via symlinks created during compiles. The setting has now been changed to be secure by default for new installs in the Toolkit and legacy docker-compose deployment. The Overleaf Toolkit has been updated to set `SIBLING_CONTAINERS_ENABLED=true` by default for new installs. It is recommended that any existing installations using the previous default setting migrate to using sibling containers. Existing installations can set `SIBLING_CONTAINERS_ENABLED=true` in `config/overleaf.rc` as a mitigation. In legacy docker-compose/custom deployments `SANDBOXED_COMPILES=true` should be used.

EPSS: 0.003 (26.7th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 5.4 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N.

Affected products

  • Overleaf — versions Docker-Compose: < 2024-08-28, Toolkit: < 2024-07-17

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-45313?
CVE-2024-45313 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Overleaf, classified under Improper Access Control. CVSS score: 5.4/10. Published 2024-09-02.
How severe is CVE-2024-45313?
Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.4 out of 10.