# CVE-2023-44452: Linux Mint Xreader CBT File Parsing Argument Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious CBT files in Linux Mint Xreader due to argument injection flaws.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 3 May 2024
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-h8wc-vpxj-hg9w

## What is CVE-2023-44452?

CVE-2023-44452 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Linux Mint Xreader, published on 3 May 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Linux Mint Xreader CBT File Parsing Argument Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Linux Mint Xreader. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of CBT files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-22132.

Weakness: CWE-88 (Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-44452?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Linuxmint Xreader.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-44452?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-44452 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-44452 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-44452 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2023-44452, CVE-2023-51698: CBT File Parsing Argument Injection that affected Popular Linux Distros (github_poc): https://github.com/febinrev/atril_cbt-inject-exploit

## Other vulnerabilities in Linux Mint Xreader

- [CVE-2023-44451](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-44451/): Linux Mint Xreader EPUB File Parsing Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-44452 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-44452 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Linux Mint Xreader, published on 3 May 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-44452 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux Mint Xreader. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2023-44452/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-44452/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-44452
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-44452
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-44452

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-44452/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.