CVE-2023-37898Public exploit

Arbitrary command execution via unescaped safe-mode notes

Published Jun 21, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Cross-site scripting in Joplin Desktop 2.12.8 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to execute commands through an untrusted note. MarkupToHtml.ts wraps safe-mode note content in pre elements without escaping interior HTML, allowing a closing tag to inject script into an unsandboxed same-origin iframe with access to NodeJS require. Exploitation requires Joplin to launch in safe mode and a user to open the crafted note, after which imported modules can read files or run child processes.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cross-site scripting in Joplin Desktop 2.12.8 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to execute commands through an untrusted note. MarkupToHtml.ts wraps safe-mode note content in pre elements without escaping interior HTML, allowing a closing tag to inject script into an unsandboxed same-origin iframe with access to NodeJS require. Exploitation requires Joplin to launch in safe mode and a user to open the crafted note, after which imported modules can read files or run child processes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-37898
Published
Jun 21, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Joplin Project
Product
Joplin
Classifications
CWE-79, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 21, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2.12.9
  2. Affected versionversion=< 2.12.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Joplin Project · Joplinversion=0 <2.12.9; version=< 2.12.9

Published CVSS scores

7.3GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L

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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1204.002Malicious File

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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