CVE-2023-51698 : Security Advisory and Response

A critical Command Injection Vulnerability has been identified in Atril's CBT comic book parsing function, making it vulnerable to Remote Code Execution.

Understanding CVE-2023-51698

Atril, a simple multi-page document viewer, is affected by a vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious code remotely. This poses a serious threat as it grants unauthorized access to the target system.

What is CVE-2023-51698?

Atril's CBT comic book parsing function is susceptible to a Command Injection Vulnerability, enabling threat actors to exploit the system by manipulating crafted documents or URLs.

The Impact of CVE-2023-51698

The vulnerability results in a Critical severity rating with high impacts on confidentiality and integrity. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, leading to data breaches and system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-51698

The Command Injection Vulnerability in Atril's CBT comic book parsing function is identified with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.6, categorizing it as Critical.

Vulnerability Description

Atril's vulnerability allows attackers to insert and execute arbitrary commands through specially crafted CBT documents, ultimately leading to Remote Code Execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

The version <= 1.26.3 of Atril by mate-desktop is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by enticing users to open malicious CBT documents or URLs, triggering the execution of unauthorized commands on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is imperative to take immediate action to secure systems vulnerable to CVE-2023-51698.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Atril to the latest version or apply the available patch at commit ce41df6.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users about safe browsing practices and vigilance while interacting with unknown or suspicious documents.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor vendor security advisories for patches and updates to enhance system security.