ulab-uiuc tiny-scientist up to 0.1.1 PDF File backend/app.py review_paper path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in ulab-uiuc tiny-scientist up to 0.1.1. It has been rated as critical. This affects the function review_paper of the file backend/app.py of the component PDF File Handler. Performing a manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-55149. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in ulab-uiuc tiny-scientist up to 0.1.1. This affects the function review_paper of the file backend/app.py of the component PDF File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Tiny-Scientist is a lightweight framework for automating the entire lifecycle of scientific research—from ideation to implementation, writing, and review. In versions 0.1.1 and below, a critical path traversal vulnerability has been identified in the review_paper function in backend/app.py. The vulnerability allows malicious users to access arbitrary PDF files on the server by providing crafted file paths that bypass the intended security restrictions. This vulnerability allows attackers to: read any PDF file accessible to the server process, potentially access sensitive documents outside the intended directory and perform reconnaissance on the server's file system structure. This issue does not currently have a fix.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-55149 since 08/07/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/12/2025). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2025-24027). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• ulab-uiuc

Name

• tiny-scientist

Version

• 0.1.0
• 0.1.1

Website

• Product: https://github.com/ulab-uiuc/tiny-scientist/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion