GitHub Security Advisory Draft

Instructions: Copy this content to create security advisories at: https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/new

Advisory 1: Remote Code Execution via Hooks Parameter

Title

Remote Code Execution in Docker API via Hooks Parameter

Severity

Critical

CVSS Score

10.0 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)

CWE

CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

Package

crawl4ai (Docker API deployment)

Affected Versions

< 0.8.0

Patched Versions

0.8.0

Description

A critical remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Crawl4AI Docker API deployment. The /crawl endpoint accepts a hooks parameter containing Python code that is executed using exec(). The __import__ builtin was included in the allowed builtins, allowing attackers to import arbitrary modules and execute system commands.

Attack Vector:

POST /crawl
{
  "urls": ["https://example.com"],
  "hooks": {
    "code": {
      "on_page_context_created": "async def hook(page, context, **kwargs):\n    __import__('os').system('malicious_command')\n    return page"
    }
  }
}

Impact

An unauthenticated attacker can:

• Execute arbitrary system commands
• Read/write files on the server
• Exfiltrate sensitive data (environment variables, API keys)
• Pivot to internal network services
• Completely compromise the server

Mitigation

1. Upgrade to v0.8.0 (recommended)
2. If unable to upgrade immediately:
   • Disable the Docker API
   • Block /crawl endpoint at network level
   • Add authentication to the API

Fix Details

1. Removed __import__ from allowed_builtins in hook_manager.py
2. Hooks disabled by default (CRAWL4AI_HOOKS_ENABLED=false)
3. Users must explicitly opt-in to enable hooks

Credits

Discovered by Neo by ProjectDiscovery (https://projectdiscovery.io)

References

• Release Notes v0.8.0
• Migration Guide

Advisory 2: Local File Inclusion via file:// URLs

Title

Local File Inclusion in Docker API via file:// URLs

Severity

High

CVSS Score

8.6 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N)

CWE

CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

Package

crawl4ai (Docker API deployment)

Affected Versions

< 0.8.0

Patched Versions

0.8.0

Description

A local file inclusion vulnerability exists in the Crawl4AI Docker API. The /execute_js, /screenshot, /pdf, and /html endpoints accept file:// URLs, allowing attackers to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem.

Attack Vector:

POST /execute_js
{
  "url": "file:///etc/passwd",
  "scripts": ["document.body.innerText"]
}

Impact

An unauthenticated attacker can:

• Read sensitive files (/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, application configs)
• Access environment variables via /proc/self/environ
• Discover internal application structure
• Potentially read credentials and API keys

Mitigation

1. Upgrade to v0.8.0 (recommended)
2. If unable to upgrade immediately:
   • Disable the Docker API
   • Add authentication to the API
   • Use network-level filtering

Fix Details

Added URL scheme validation to block:

• file:// URLs
• javascript: URLs
• data: URLs
• Other non-HTTP schemes

Only http://, https://, and raw: URLs are now allowed.

Credits

Discovered by Neo by ProjectDiscovery (https://projectdiscovery.io)

References

• Release Notes v0.8.0
• Migration Guide

Creating the Advisories on GitHub

1. Go to: https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/new

2. Fill in the form for each advisory:

   • Ecosystem: PyPI
   • Package name: crawl4ai
   • Affected versions: < 0.8.0
   • Patched versions: 0.8.0
   • Severity: Critical (for RCE), High (for LFI)

3. After creating, GitHub will:

   • Assign a GHSA ID
   • Optionally request a CVE
   • Notify users who have security alerts enabled

4. Coordinate disclosure timing with the fix release