📄 Description (English)
A vulnerability was identified in duartium papers-mcp-server 9ceb3812a6458ba7922ca24a7406f8807bc55598. Impacted is the function search_papers of the file src/main.py. Such manipulation of the argument topic leads to path traversal. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-7205 is a path traversal vulnerability in duartium papers-mcp-server affecting the search_papers function in src/main.py. An attacker can manipulate the 'topic' argument to access unauthorized files on the system remotely. With a CVSS score of 7.3 and publicly available exploit code, this poses a significant risk to organizations using this software, particularly those integrating it into research or document management systems.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 6, 2026 04:33
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi research institutions, universities, and government agencies using papers-mcp-server for academic research management. High-risk sectors include: (1) KACST and university research centers managing sensitive research data, (2) Government ministries using document management systems, (3) Healthcare institutions storing medical research and patient data, (4) Energy sector research facilities (ARAMCO research divisions). The path traversal could expose confidential research, intellectual property, and sensitive government documents.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Research & Academia
Government
Healthcare
Energy
Defense
Financial Services
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems running duartium papers-mcp-server and isolate them from production networks if possible
2. Review access logs for the search_papers function for suspicious 'topic' parameters containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.)
3. Implement input validation: restrict 'topic' parameter to alphanumeric characters and whitespace only
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
4. Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block requests with path traversal patterns in the topic parameter
5. Implement strict file system permissions - run papers-mcp-server with minimal required privileges
6. Use chroot/containerization to limit file system access scope
7. Monitor file access patterns for unauthorized directory traversal attempts
DETECTION RULES:
- Alert on search_papers requests containing: ../, ..\ , %2e%2e, encoded variants
- Monitor for access to files outside intended research directories
- Track failed file access attempts in application logs
PATCHING:
8. Monitor the project repository for security patches and apply immediately upon release
9. Consider alternative solutions if vendor does not respond within 30 days
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل duartium papers-mcp-server وعزلها عن شبكات الإنتاج إن أمكن
2. مراجعة سجلات الوصول لوظيفة search_papers للبحث عن معاملات 'topic' المريبة التي تحتوي على تسلسلات اجتياز المسار
3. تطبيق التحقق من صحة المدخلات: تقييد معامل 'topic' على الأحرف الأبجدية الرقمية والمسافات فقط
الضوابط التعويضية (حتى توفر التصحيح):
4. نشر قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب لحجب الطلبات التي تحتوي على أنماط اجتياز المسار
5. تطبيق أذونات نظام الملفات الصارمة - تشغيل papers-mcp-server بأقل صلاحيات مطلوبة
6. استخدام chroot/containerization لتحديد نطاق الوصول إلى نظام الملفات
7. مراقبة أنماط الوصول إلى الملفات للكشف عن محاولات اجتياز المسار غير المصرح بها
قواعد الكشف:
- تنبيهات على طلبات search_papers التي تحتوي على: ../, ..\ , %2e%2e والمتغيرات المشفرة
- مراقبة الوصول إلى الملفات خارج الدلائل المقصودة
- تتبع محاولات الوصول الفاشلة إلى الملفات في سجلات التطبيق
التصحيح:
8. مراقبة مستودع المشروع للحصول على تصحيحات أمنية وتطبيقها فوراً عند الإصدار
9. النظر في حلول بديلة إذا لم يستجب البائع خلال 30 يوماً
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
A.6.1.1 - Access Control Policy
A.6.2.1 - User Registration and De-registration
A.8.2.1 - Classification of Information
A.8.2.3 - Handling of Assets
A.12.2.1 - Controls Against Malware
A.12.4.1 - Event Logging
A.12.4.3 - Administrator and Operator Logs
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.AM-2: Software Inventory
PR.AC-1: Access Control Policy
PR.AC-3: Access Enforcement
PR.AC-4: Access Rights Management
DE.CM-1: System Monitoring
DE.CM-3: Unauthorized Software Detection
RS.MI-2: Incident Response Procedures
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1 - Management Direction for Information Security
A.6.1 - Internal Organization
A.8.1 - Asset Responsibility
A.8.2 - Information Classification
A.8.3 - Media Handling
A.9.1 - Access Control Policy
A.9.2 - User Access Management
A.12.4 - Logging
A.14.2 - Software Development
🔗 References & Sources 5