CVE-2022-36231Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary command execution via unsanitized PDF path

Published Feb 23, 2023 · Updated Mar 13, 2025

OS command injection in pdf_info 0.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands through a crafted PDF path. The PDF::Info command method interpolates the unvalidated @pdf_path value into a backtick-executed pdfinfo shell command, allowing shell metacharacters to perform command chaining. Exploitation requires a consuming application to pass attacker-controlled input as the PDF path, and commands run with that application's privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.01%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in pdf_info 0.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands through a crafted PDF path. The PDF::Info command method interpolates the unvalidated @pdf_path value into a backtick-executed pdfinfo shell command, allowing shell metacharacters to perform command chaining. Exploitation requires a consuming application to pass attacker-controlled input as the PDF path, and commands run with that application's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-36231
Published
Feb 23, 2023
Updated
Mar 13, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 23, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 13, 2025Record 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

9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.004Unix Shell

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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