CVE-2024-8029 in privategpt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2025
An XSS vulnerability was discovered in the upload file(s) process of imartinez/privategpt v0.5.0. Attackers can upload malicious SVG files, which execute JavaScript when victims click on the file link. This can lead to user data theft, session hijacking, malware distribution, and phishing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8029 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the privategpt v0.5.0 application, specifically affecting the file upload functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms during the processing of uploaded files, particularly SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files that are commonly used for images and graphics. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of user-uploaded content, creating an attack vector where malicious actors can exploit the system's trust in file types to execute unauthorized code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security measures by uploading specially crafted SVG files containing embedded JavaScript payloads. When victims navigate to the file link or view the uploaded content, the malicious script executes within the context of the victim's browser session. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the content of uploaded files, particularly SVG files which can contain executable JavaScript through features like the <script> element or event handlers. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Cross-site Scripting" and specifically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Malicious File".
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for user data integrity and system security. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to user sessions, enabling session hijacking attacks that allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability also facilitates data theft operations where sensitive information can be exfiltrated from user browsers, and can serve as a delivery mechanism for malware distribution. Additionally, the threat landscape is further amplified by the potential for phishing attacks, where victims are tricked into interacting with malicious content that appears legitimate within the application's interface. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SVG files are commonly used and trusted within web applications, making the exploitation more likely to succeed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on comprehensive input validation and content sanitization measures. Organizations should implement strict file type validation that rejects or quarantines SVG files containing JavaScript elements, while also employing content security policies that prevent script execution within the application context. The implementation of proper output encoding and sanitization of all user-provided content before rendering is essential to prevent XSS exploitation. Additionally, security measures should include regular security assessments of file upload processes, proper file type detection using multiple validation methods, and the implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file uploads. The application should also enforce strict access controls and implement proper session management practices to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. These measures align with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing and detecting malicious file execution within web applications.