# CVE-2023-0835: markdown-pdf 11.0.0 - Local File Read via Server Side XSS

> An attacker can exploit Server-Side XSS in markdown-pdf to read arbitrary local files from the server.

- **Severity:** High 8.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 4 Apr 2023
- **Updated:** 3 Dec 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qghr-877h-f9jh

## What is CVE-2023-0835?

CVE-2023-0835 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in markdown-pdf, published on 4 Apr 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

markdown-pdf version 11.0.0 allows an external attacker to remotely obtain arbitrary local files. This is possible because the application does not validate the Markdown content entered by the user.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0835?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including markdown-pdf. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `markdown-pdf` | npm | All versions to 11.0.0 | None |
| `markdown-pdf` | npm | All versions to 11.0.0 | None |

Products: Markdown-Pdf Project Markdown-Pdf.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-0835?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-0835 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-0835 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0835 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in markdown-pdf

- [CVE-2018-3770](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-3770/): Remote Code Execution in markdown-pdf (medium 5.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-0835 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-0835 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in markdown-pdf, published on 4 Apr 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0835 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- markdown-pdf (npm): affected all versions up to 11.0.0; no fix listed
- markdown-pdf (npm): affected all versions up to 11.0.0; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0835/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0835/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0835
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0835
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-0835

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0835/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.