CVE-2026-55493
Published:October 30, 2026
Updated:November 04, 2026
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.
Affected Packages
https://github.com/kohler/hotcrp.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=v2.101 <v3.3 || >=v3.0b1 <v3.3Fix Suggestion:
Update to version v3.3Related Resources (5)
Do you need more information?
Contact UsCVSS v4
Base Score:
7.1
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
HIGH
Vulnerable System Integrity
NONE
Vulnerable System Availability
NONE
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
CVSS v3
Base Score:
6.5
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
NONE
Availability
NONE
Weakness Type (CWE)
Incorrect Authorization
EPSS
Base Score:
0.30