CVE-2020-35340Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary file read via unsandboxed HTML objects

Published Sep 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Local file inclusion in ExpertPDF 9.5.0 through 14.1.0 allows remote attackers to read files accessible to the conversion process. GetPdfBytesFromHtmlString renders attacker-controlled object elements whose data attribute names a local path, while AllowLocalAccess defaults to true. Reachability requires an application to pass untrusted HTML into the converter; successful requests embed readable server files in the returned PDF and can also trigger outbound SMB authentication.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.16%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Local file inclusion in ExpertPDF 9.5.0 through 14.1.0 allows remote attackers to read files accessible to the conversion process. GetPdfBytesFromHtmlString renders attacker-controlled object elements whose data attribute names a local path, while AllowLocalAccess defaults to true. Reachability requires an application to pass untrusted HTML into the converter; successful requests embed readable server files in the returned PDF and can also trigger outbound SMB authentication.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-35340
Published
Sep 15, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-552, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 15, 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

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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

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/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-552Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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