CVE-2020-18748Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via clickable MathJax JavaScript link

Published Aug 19, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Cross-site scripting in Typora 0.9.65 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted MathJax formula block. The rendered MathJax href target uses the javascript scheme to evaluate code that reaches Typora's reqnode bridge and invokes child_process.exec. Execution requires a user to open the document and click the formula link; resulting commands run with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability0.95%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Cross-site scripting in Typora 0.9.65 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted MathJax formula block. The rendered MathJax href target uses the javascript scheme to evaluate code that reaches Typora's reqnode bridge and invokes child_process.exec. Execution requires a user to open the document and click the formula link; resulting commands run with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-18748
Published
Aug 19, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-79, T1204.001, T1059.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 19, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
6.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1204.001User Execution: Malicious Link
T1059.003Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo