Description
KaTeX is a JavaScript library for TeX math rendering on the web. KaTeX users who render untrusted mathematical expressions could encounter malicious input using `\edef` that causes a near-infinite loop, despite setting `maxExpand` to avoid such loops. This can be used as an availability attack, where e.g. a client rendering another user's KaTeX input will be unable to use the site due to memory overflow, tying up the main thread, or stack overflow. Upgrade to KaTeX v0.16.10 to remove this vulnerability.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| KaTeX | KaTeX | >= 0.12.0, < 0.16.10 | — |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | node-katex | 0.16.10+~cs6.1.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | node-katex | 0.16.10+~cs6.1.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | node-katex | No fix yet | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTS | node-katex | 0.16.10+~cs6.1.0-2ubuntu0.24.04.1~esm1 | USN-7572-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTS | node-katex | 0.13.11+~cs6.0.0-2ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-7572-1 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npm | katex | >= 0.12.0, < 0.16.10 | 0.16.10 | GHSA-64fm-8hw2-v72w |
Advisories 1
- USN-7572-1 node-katex vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026