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TI-2023-20649 Aliases CVE-2023-39517

Cross site scripting (XSS) when clicking on an untrusted `<map>` link in Joplin

Priority LOW 36CWE-79Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Cross-site scripting
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · Low · Low
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-79.

Summary

Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application. A Cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in affected versions allows clicking on an untrusted image link to execute arbitrary shell commands. The HTML sanitizer (`packages/renderer/htmlUtils.ts::sanitizeHtml`) preserves `<map>` `<area>` links. However, unlike `<a>` links, the `target` and `href` attributes are not removed. Additionally, because the note preview pane isn't sandboxed to prevent top navigation, links with `target` set to `_top` can replace the toplevel electron page. Because any toplevel electron page, with Joplin's setup, has access to `require` and can require node libraries, a malicious replacement toplevel page can import `child_process` and execute arbitrary shell commands. This issue has been fixed in commit 7c52c3e9a81a52ef1b42a951f9deb9d378d59b0f which is included in release version 2.12.8. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00476 41st percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed joplin (laurent22): 2.12.8

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
laurent22joplinbefore 2.12.82.12.8Patch availableCNA
  • joplin Vendorlaurent22 Affected before 2.12.8 Fixed in 2.12.8 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:joplin_project:joplin:*:*:*:*:*:-:*:*before 2.12.8Vulnerablelaurent22
  • cpe:2.3:a:joplin_project:joplin:*:*:*:*:*:-:*:* Versions before 2.12.8 Vulnerable ·laurent22

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA joplin (laurent22) Fixed in 2.12.8

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-39517

References

Exploit 1

Patch 1

Other 1

  • TI-2023-24472 Arbitrary code execution on click of PDF links in Joplin CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.0
  • TI-2024-32950 Remote Code Execution on click of <a> Link in markdown preview CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.6
  • TI-2024-27054 Joplin has a parsing error leading to Cross-site Scripting (XSS) CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.7
  • TI-2025-17795 Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in Rich Text Editor allows arbitrary code execution in Joplin CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.6
  • TI-2025-19991 Privilege escalation in Joplin server via user patch endpoint CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2024-35730 Lack of validation on openExternal allows 1 click remote code execution in joplin CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
See all 21 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences