CVE-2023-45673 Arbitrary code execution on click of PDF links in Joplin

High 8.9 Published 21 Jun 2024 Updated 2 Aug 2024

Attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands by tricking users into clicking links in untrusted PDFs within Joplin notes.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-45673?

CVE-2023-45673 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in laurent22 joplin, published on 21 Jun 2024. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application. A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in affected versions allows clicking on a link in a PDF in an untrusted note to execute arbitrary shell commands. Clicking links in PDFs allows for arbitrary code execution because Joplin desktop: 1. has not disabled top redirection for note viewer iframes, and 2. and has node integration enabled. This is a remote code execution vulnerability that impacts anyone who attaches untrusted PDFs to notes and has the icon enabled. This issue has been addressed in version 2.13.3. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-94

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-45673?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Joplin Project Joplin.

How do I fix CVE-2023-45673?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-45673 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2023-45673 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-45673 exists.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-g8qx-5vcm-3x59.