CVE-2022-36231: pdf_info 0.5.3 is vulnerable to Command Execution because the Ruby code uses backticks instead of Open3.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-36231 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting pdf info. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pdf_info 0.5.3 is vulnerable to Command Execution because the Ruby code uses backticks instead of Open3.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2023-02-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: newspaperclub

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-02-23 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

newspaperclub pdf info DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.5.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.5.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdf-info || rpm -q pdf-info || pdf-info --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.5.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdf-info sudo apt install pdf-info=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.3> sudo apt-mark hold pdf-info

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdf-info sudo dnf downgrade pdf-info-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.3> sudo dnf versionlock add pdf-info

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-36231?

pdf info: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-36231 being exploited?

CVE-2022-36231 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-36231 affect?

CVE-2022-36231 affects pdf info. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). pdf_info 0.5.3 is vulnerable to Command Execution because the Ruby code uses backticks instead of Open3.

How urgent is CVE-2022-36231?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities

References

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