CVE-2023-53981: PhotoShow 3.0 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to injec

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-53981 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting photoshow. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PhotoShow 3.0 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious commands through the exiftran path configuration. Attackers can exploit the ffmpeg configuration settings by base64 encoding a reverse shell command and executing it through a crafted video upload process.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2025-12-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: thibaud-rohmer

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-12-22 22:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

thibaud-rohmer photoshow DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy photoshow || rpm -q photoshow || photoshow --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison photoshow sudo apt install photoshow=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold photoshow

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

dnf --showduplicates list photoshow sudo dnf downgrade photoshow-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add photoshow

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-2023-53981?

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

Is CVE-2023-53981 being exploited?

CVE-2023-53981 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-2023-53981 affect?

CVE-2023-53981 affects photoshow. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). PhotoShow 3.0 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious commands through the exiftran path configuration. Attackers can exploit the ffmpeg configuration settings by base64 en

How urgent is CVE-2023-53981?

Priority 45/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

FFmpeg vulnerabilities

References

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