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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-3838 · published 15 November 2024

CVE-2021-3838: Dompdf project dompdf deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability

Dompdf Project · Dompdf

DomPDF before version 2.0.0 is vulnerable to PHAR deserialization due to a lack of checking on the protocol before passing it into the file_get_contents() function. An attacker who can upload files of any type to the server can pass in the phar:// protocol to unserialize the uploaded file and instantiate arbitrary PHP objects. This can lead to remote code execution, especially when DOMPdf is used with frameworks with documented POP chains like Laravel or vulnerable developer code.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 1.4% · top 28.0% CWE-502 · Deserialization of untrusted data
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score
1.4%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References, 1 tagged exploit
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

DomPDF before version 2.0.0 is vulnerable to PHAR deserialization due to a lack of checking on the protocol before passing it into the file_get_contents() function. An attacker who can upload files of any type to the server can pass in the phar:// protocol to unserialize the uploaded file and instantiate arbitrary PHP objects. This can lead to remote code execution, especially when DOMPdf is used with frameworks with documented POP chains like Laravel or vulnerable developer code.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://github.com/dompdf/dompdf/commit/99aeec1efec9213e87098d42eb09439e7ee0bb6a Patch
https://huntr.com/bounties/0bdddc12-ff67-4815-ab9f-6011a974f48e ExploitIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-3838), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-28). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.