SurrealDB has local file read of 2-column TSV files via analyzers
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
An authenticated system user at the root, namespace, or database levels can use the `DEFINE ANALYZER` statement to point to arbitrary file locations on the file system, and should the file be tab separated with two columns, the analyzer can be leveraged to exfiltrate the content. This issue was discovered and patched during an code audit and penetration test of SurrealDB by cure53, the severity defined within cure53's preliminary finding is Low, matched by our CVSS v4 assessment. ### Impact Limited to unauthorised access to 2 column TSV files on the file system ### Patches A patch has been created that introduces a new environment variable, `SURREAL_FILE_ALLOWLIST` , which contains a list of allowed file paths. When a mapping file is processed, the mapper checks if the file’s path is within one of the allowed paths. - Versions 2.1.5, 2.2.2 and later are not affected by this issue. ### Workarounds Users unable to update may want to limit those with root, namespace, or database level users to trusted parties only. ### References [SurrealQL Documentation - DEFINE ANALYZER](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealql/statements/define/analyzer#define-analyzer-statement) [#5600](https://github.com/surrealdb/surrealdb/pull/5600)
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | surrealdb (crates.io) | 2.2.0 to before 2.2.2 | 2.2.2 | Patch available | GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg |
| — | surrealdb (crates.io) | before 2.1.5 | 2.1.5 | Patch available | GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg |
- surrealdb (crates.io) Vendor— Affected 2.2.0 to before 2.2.2 Fixed in 2.2.2 Patch available GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg
- surrealdb (crates.io) Vendor— Affected before 2.1.5 Fixed in 2.1.5 Patch available GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg surrealdb (crates.io) Fixed in 2.2.2 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg surrealdb (crates.io) Fixed in 2.1.5 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-2cvj-g5r5-jrrg
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences