How severe is CVE-2023-36459?

CVE-2023-36459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.3, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-36459 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-36459?

CVE-2023-36459 affects Joinmastodon Mastodon. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-36459?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2023-36459 published?

CVE-2023-36459 was published on 2023-07-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-36459

CVE-2023-36459 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Joinmastodon Mastodon with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-79.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-79
Affected product: Joinmastodon Mastodon
Published: 2023-07-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Starting in version 1.3 and prior to versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3, an attacker using carefully crafted oEmbed data can bypass the HTML sanitization performed by Mastodon and include arbitrary HTML in oEmbed preview cards. This introduces a vector for cross-site scripting (XSS) payloads that can be rendered in the user's browser when a preview card for a malicious link is clicked through. Versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3 contain a patch for this issue.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-36459?: Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Starting in version 1.3 and prior to versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3, an attacker using carefully crafted oEmbed data can bypass the HTML sanitization performed by Mastodon and include arbitrary HTML in oEmbed preview cards. This introduces a vector for cross-site scripting (XSS) payloads that can be rendered in the user's browser when a preview card for a malicious link is clicked through. Versions 3.5.9, 4.0.5, and 4.1.3 contain a patch for this issue.
How severe is CVE-2023-36459?: CVE-2023-36459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.3, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-36459 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-36459?: CVE-2023-36459 affects Joinmastodon Mastodon. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-36459?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-36459 published?: CVE-2023-36459 was published on 2023-07-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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