PDF export allows arbitrary file reads
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
HedgeDoc (formerly known as CodiMD) is an open-source collaborative markdown editor. An attacker is able to receive arbitrary files from the file system when exporting a note to PDF. Since the code injection has to take place as note content, there fore this exploit requires the attackers ability to modify a note. This will affect all instances, which have pdf export enabled. This issue has been fixed by https://github.com/hedgedoc/hedgedoc/commit/c1789474020a6d668d616464cb2da5e90e123f65 and is available in version 1.5.0. Starting the CodiMD/HedgeDoc instance with `CMD_ALLOW_PDF_EXPORT=false` or set `"allowPDFExport": false` in config.json can mitigate this issue for those who cannot upgrade. This exploit works because while PhantomJS doesn't actually render the `file:///` references to the PDF file itself, it still uses them internally, and exfiltration is possible, and easy through JavaScript rendering. The impact is pretty bad, as the attacker is able to read the CodiMD/HedgeDoc `config.json` file as well any other files on the filesystem. Even though the suggested Docker deploy option doesn't have many interesting files itself, the `config.json` still often contains sensitive information, database credentials, and maybe OAuth secrets among other things.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA hedgedoc (hedgedoc) Fixed in 1.5.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-29475
References
More Hedgedoc vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-19867 HedgeDoc API allows to hide existing notes CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
- TI-2024-30379 MySQL & free URL mode allows to hide existing notes in hedgedoc CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2020-16108 Stored XSS in mermaid diagrams CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.7
- TI-2021-10211 Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in Notes CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2021-16561 XSS vector in slide mode speaker-view CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2020-16107 Arbitary file upload CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences