CVE-2023-36460

Name: CVE-2023-36460
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-07-06T19:15:10.807+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.9/10EPSS 37.26%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-36460 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.9/10 on the CVSS scale. Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Starting in version 3.5.0 and prior to versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3, attackers using carefully crafted media files can cause Mastodon's media processing code to create arbitrary files at any location. EPSS estimates a 37.26% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Starting in version 3.5.0 and prior to versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3, attackers using carefully crafted media files can cause Mastodon's media processing code to create arbitrary files at any location. This allows attackers to create and overwrite any file Mastodon has access to, allowing Denial of Service and arbitrary Remote Code Execution. Versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3 contain a patch for this issue.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

37.26%

98.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-22

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Joinmastodon	Mastodon	>= 3.5.0, < 3.5.9
Joinmastodon	Mastodon	>= 4.0.0, < 4.0.5
Joinmastodon	Mastodon	>= 4.1.0, < 4.1.3

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/07/06/4Mailing List
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/commit/dc8f1fbd976ae544720a4e07120d9a91b2722440Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v3.5.9Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.0.5Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.1.3Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/security/advisories/GHSA-9928-3cp5-93fmThird Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/07/06/4Mailing List
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/commit/dc8f1fbd976ae544720a4e07120d9a91b2722440Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v3.5.9Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.0.5Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.1.3Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/security/advisories/GHSA-9928-3cp5-93fmThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 6, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-36460?

How severe is CVE-2023-36460?

CVE-2023-36460 has a CVSS score of 9.9/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 37.26% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-36460?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-36460?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST