CVE-2025-59035
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Indico event management system versions prior to 3.3.8. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts when LaTeX math code is rendered in contribution or abstract descriptions. All Indico instances using vulnerable versions are affected, particularly those with public content submission features like Call for Abstracts workflows.
💻 Affected Systems
- Indico
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, deface content, or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive conference data.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious scripts that execute in victims' browsers, potentially stealing session tokens or performing unauthorized actions within the victim's permissions.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized and rendered as harmless text rather than executable code.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the ability to submit content with LaTeX math code. The advisory suggests attackers could be external speakers submitting abstracts through Call for Abstracts workflows.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.8
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/indico/indico/security/advisories/GHSA-7cf7-9wrr-vrf4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your Indico instance and database. 2. Update Indico to version 3.3.8 or later using pip: 'pip install indico>=3.3.8'. 3. Verify the update completed successfully. 4. Test LaTeX rendering functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict content creation
allOnly allow trusted users to create content with LaTeX math code in contribution or abstract descriptions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict content moderation for all user-submitted content containing LaTeX
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your Indico version is below 3.3.8 and if LaTeX rendering is enabled in contribution/abstract descriptionsCheck Version:
python -c "import indico; print(indico.__version__)" or check the Indico web interface admin panelVerify Fix Applied:
After updating to 3.3.8 or later, test LaTeX rendering with sample content containing potential XSS payloads to ensure they are properly sanitized📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual LaTeX content submissions
- Multiple failed LaTeX rendering attempts
- Suspicious content in abstract/contribution submissions
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected script tags in rendered LaTeX content
- External resource loading from LaTeX-rendered pages
SIEM Query:
source="indico" AND ("LaTeX" OR "math") AND ("script" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")