CVE-2026-55493

MEDIUM CVSS 3.1: 6.5 EPSS 0.30%
Updated Oct 30, 2026
Hotcrp
Parameter Value
CVSS 6.5 (MEDIUM)
Type CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization)
Vendor Hotcrp
Public PoC No

HotCRP is conference review software. Starting with 2.101, the `cmt:` search term checks whether a comment is visible to the searching user but fails to check whether the commenter's identity should be visible. A `cmt:USER` search can therefore match a paper with a visible comment authored by USER even when the comment is supposed to be anonymous.

An authenticated user with access to the search can infer the author of an anonymous comment, compromising reviewer anonymity. Comments that the user cannot see remain excluded from search results. The advisory prose identifies 3.3 as fixed, its affected-version metadata excludes 3.3, and the verified repository tag 3.3 already contains the identity-check fix; however, its patched-version metadata instead lists 3.3.1.

This fixed-version source conflict remains unresolved.

Attack Parameters

Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Privileges Required
Low
Basic privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed

Impact Assessment

Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
None
No data modification
Availability
None
No disruption

CVSS Vector v3.1