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CVE-2023-32700: LuaTeX before 1.17.0 allows execution of arbitrary shell commands when compiling a TeX file obtained from an u

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This month
HIGH 7.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-32700 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting luatex, miktex, tex live. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

LuaTeX before 1.17.0 allows execution of arbitrary shell commands when compiling a TeX file obtained from an untrusted source. This occurs because luatex-core.lua lets the original io.popen be accessed. This also affects TeX Live before 2023 r66984 and MiKTeX before 23.5.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.8 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-77
Published2023-05-20
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: luatex project · miktex · tug

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

luatex project luatex UPGRADE
Affected: >= 1.04 and < 1.16.2
Fixed in: 1.16.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.04
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy luatex || rpm -q luatex || luatex --version
2. UPGRADE to 1.16.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade luatex
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade luatex
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.04 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison luatex sudo apt install luatex=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.04> sudo apt-mark hold luatex
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list luatex sudo dnf downgrade luatex-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.04> sudo dnf versionlock add luatex
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.
miktex miktex UPGRADE
Affected: >= 2.9.6300 and < 23.5
Fixed in: 23.5
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.9.6300
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy miktex || rpm -q miktex || miktex --version
2. UPGRADE to 23.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade miktex
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade miktex
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.9.6300 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison miktex sudo apt install miktex=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.9.6300> sudo apt-mark hold miktex
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list miktex sudo dnf downgrade miktex-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.9.6300> sudo dnf versionlock add miktex
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.
tug tex live UPGRADE
Affected: >= 2017 and < 2023
Fixed in: 2023
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2017
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy tex-live || rpm -q tex-live || tex-live --version
2. UPGRADE to 2023 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tex-live
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade tex-live
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2017 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison tex-live sudo apt install tex-live=<VERSION_BEFORE_2017> sudo apt-mark hold tex-live
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list tex-live sudo dnf downgrade tex-live-<VERSION_BEFORE_2017> sudo dnf versionlock add tex-live
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-2023-32700?

luatex: upgrade to 1.16.2; miktex: upgrade to 23.5; tex live: upgrade to 2023. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-32700 being exploited?

CVE-2023-32700 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-2023-32700 affect?

CVE-2023-32700 affects luatex, miktex, tex live. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). LuaTeX before 1.17.0 allows execution of arbitrary shell commands when compiling a TeX file obtained from an untrusted source. This occurs because luatex-core.lua lets the original io.popen be accessed. This also affects TeX Live before 202

How urgent is CVE-2023-32700?

Priority 42/100. High severity

Related CVEs

References

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