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

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2023-45673 is a critical (CVSS 9.0) Code Injection vulnerability in joplin_project joplin. EPSS estimates a 1.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 63.3% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 21-06-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.