CVE-2023-39517Public exploit

Shell command execution via unsanitized image-map link

Published Jun 21, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Cross-site scripting in Laurent Cozic Joplin before 2.12.8 allows local users to execute shell commands by clicking an image link. The sanitizeHtml routine preserves map and area elements without stripping their target and href attributes, allowing target=_top navigation to replace the Electron page with attacker-controlled content that can load child_process. Exploitation requires viewing an untrusted note while online and clicking its rendered image; successful execution runs commands with the Joplin user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.48%
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 Laurent Cozic Joplin before 2.12.8 allows local users to execute shell commands by clicking an image link. The sanitizeHtml routine preserves map and area elements without stripping their target and href attributes, allowing target=_top navigation to replace the Electron page with attacker-controlled content that can load child_process. Exploitation requires viewing an untrusted note while online and clicking its rendered image; successful execution runs commands with the Joplin user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-39517
Published
Jun 21, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Joplin Project
Product
Joplin
Classifications
CWE-79, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

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=< 2.12.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Joplin Project · Joplinversion=< 2.12.8

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.

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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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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