Spatie Browsershot Directory Traversal Vulnerability

Published Date: December 18, 2024

Package Affected Versions Patched Versions Severity
📦 spatie/browsershot (Composer) < 5.0.2 5.0.2 High

Description

Overview


A high-severity vulnerability has been identified in the spatie/browsershot package, specifically in versions prior to 5.0.2. This issue was reviewed and published to the GitHub Advisory Database 11 hours ago, with an update occurring just one hour ago. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit improper handling of file paths, enabling unauthorized file access.

Affected Package



  • Package Name: spatie/browsershot

  • Package Manager: Composer

  • Affected Versions: < 5.0.2

  • Patched Version: 5.0.2


Vulnerability Details


The issue lies in how spatie/browsershot handles URI normalization in the browser. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from the ability to bypass the file:// URI scheme check using malformed paths like file:\. This normalization translates \ into /, which effectively circumvents security mechanisms.

As a result, an attacker could use this flaw to read arbitrary files on the server. For example, they might access sensitive configuration files, private keys, or user data stored outside the intended application directories.

Severity


Given the potential for unauthorized access to server files, this vulnerability is classified as high severity.

Patches & Workarounds

Mitigation


To address this issue, users of spatie/browsershot should upgrade to version 5.0.2 immediately. This patched version ensures proper handling of URI normalization and prevents the bypass exploit.

Steps to Upgrade:



  1. Open your project’s root directory.

  2. Run the following Composer command to update the package:


composer require spatie/browsershot:^5.0.2

3. Test your application to ensure compatibility with the updated package version.

 

Recommendations



  • If you cannot upgrade immediately, restrict access to sensitive server files as a temporary mitigation.

  • Regularly review and monitor package updates and security advisories to catch vulnerabilities early.

  • Consider implementing additional input validation or logging mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized file access attempts.

References

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21547

https://gist.github.com/chuajianshen/baa71db588cfc038fb5d65624a47be81

https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-PHP-SPATIEBROWSERSHOT-8501858
Share this:
  • Cybersecurity Risks of U.S. Trade Tariffs: Impact on Supply Chains in Canada, Mexico & the EU

    In early 2025, the U.S. government announced new tariffs aimed at Canada, Mexico, and potentially the European Union. While the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are temporarily on hold, businesses are already adjusting supply chains to prepare for the financial impact. Trade policies like these cause ripple effects across industries, and cybersecurity often takes a…

  • Dark Web & Small Businesses: How Hackers Sell Your Data

    Many small business owners assume that cyberattacks only target large corporations. They imagine hackers as shadowy figures breaching high-security networks of multinational companies. The reality is much bleaker: small businesses are prime targets because they often lack strong cybersecurity defenses. Worse, once stolen, their data often ends up for sale on the dark web.

  • Top 10 Viruses and Malware Wreaking Havoc in January 2025

    Learn how to identify and defend against the latest cybersecurity threats like Banshee, Clop Ransomware, and AI-powered attacks. Stay one step ahead of hackers with this detailed guide.

  • Should You Invest in DIY AI Assistants?

    With AI technologies advancing rapidly, there’s growing interest in building personal assistants at home. Today, big names like Alexa and Google Home dominate the market, but their capabilities remain limited by their current integrations. Meanwhile, ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have revolutionized conversational AI, although they lack standalone devices or wake-word functionality. These limitations won’t last…

  • How Spilled Coffee Saved a Company

    Small businesses face countless threats—phishing attacks, ransomware, budget constraints, and, occasionally, over-caffeinated interns. This is the story of Taxify Associates, a mid-sized accounting firm that narrowly avoided financial ruin thanks to a spilled cup of coffee, a frayed carpet, and one overworked IT manager.

  • How Cybercriminals Bypass Apple iMessage Security Protections

    Cybercriminals have found a simple yet effective way to bypass Apple’s phishing protections built into iMessage. This exploit enables them to trick users into activating dangerous phishing links. As mobile devices dominate how people pay bills, shop, and communicate, phishing attacks (a form of fraudulent message-based scamming) are becoming more popular among bad actors.