CVE-2023-35936 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of the arbitrary file write vulnerability in Pandoc, impacting versions prior to 3.1.4.

Understanding CVE-2023-35936

This section provides insights into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-35936?

Pandoc, a Haskell library for markup format conversion, is affected by an arbitrary file write vulnerability in versions before 3.1.4. The flaw allows an attacker to overwrite system files by manipulating image elements.

The Impact of CVE-2023-35936

The vulnerability enables threat actors to create or modify files on compromised systems using specially crafted inputs. Systems allowing untrusted user inputs with PDF generation or the

--extract-media

feature are at risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-35936

Explore the specific aspects of the vulnerability to understand how it operates.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from improper handling of image elements, leading to unauthorized write access to files. Attackers exploit this to alter system configurations and data, depending on process privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pandoc versions from 1.13 to 3.1.3 are impacted by this vulnerability. Systems processing untrusted inputs and utilizing PDF generation or

--extract-media

functionality are susceptible.

Exploitation Mechanism

By embedding malicious image elements, threat actors trigger the vulnerability, enabling them to overwrite arbitrary files during PDF generation or extraction of media.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address and prevent the risks associated with CVE-2023-35936.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the vulnerability, update Pandoc to version 3.1.4 or above. Implement stringent input validation and restrict PDF output and media extraction in untrusted environments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhance system security by adopting secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe file handling procedures.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for Pandoc to swiftly address emerging vulnerabilities and secure your systems.