KaTeX's maxExpand bypassed by Unicode sub/superscripts
Description
KaTeX is a JavaScript library for TeX math rendering on the web. KaTeX users who render untrusted mathematical expressions could encounter malicious input using \def or \newcommand that causes a near-infinite loop, despite setting maxExpand to avoid such loops. KaTeX supports an option named maxExpand which aims to prevent infinitely recursive macros from consuming all available memory and/or triggering a stack overflow error. Unfortunately, support for "Unicode (sub|super)script characters" allows an attacker to bypass this limit. Each sub/superscript group instantiated a separate Parser with its own limit on macro executions, without inheriting the current count of macro executions from its parent. This has been corrected in KaTeX v0.16.10.
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Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
katexnpm | >= 0.15.4, < 0.16.10 | 0.16.10 |
Affected products
2Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
4- github.com/advisories/GHSA-cvr6-37gx-v8wcghsaADVISORY
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28244ghsaADVISORY
- github.com/KaTeX/KaTeX/commit/085e21b5da05414efefa932570e7201a7c70e5b2ghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/KaTeX/KaTeX/security/advisories/GHSA-cvr6-37gx-v8wcghsax_refsource_CONFIRMWEB
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