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CVE Record

CVE-2020-21365: Directory traversal vulnerability in wkhtmltopdf through 0.12.5 allows remote attackers to read local files...

Directory traversal vulnerability in wkhtmltopdf through 0.12.5 allows remote attackers to read local files and disclose sensitive information via a crafted html file running with the default configurations.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw can let an attacker-controlled HTML document cause wkhtmltopdf to read local files during PDF generation. The main business risk is accidental disclosure of sensitive files from servers or workers that convert untrusted HTML. Public sources do not show active exploitation or a CVSS score.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted remediation item for any internet-facing or customer-facing PDF generation service. Prioritize systems that process untrusted HTML or run with broad filesystem access.

Technical view

CVE-2020-21365 is a directory traversal/local file disclosure issue in wkhtmltopdf through 0.12.5 under default configurations. The reported attack path requires a crafted HTML file processed by wkhtmltopdf. Debian published a security update in October 2022, but the source bundle does not provide complete cross-platform fixed-version details.

Likely exposure

Most exposed environments are services that run wkhtmltopdf through 0.12.5 against user-submitted, externally fetched, or partner-supplied HTML. Internal-only PDF generation from trusted templates is lower risk, though still worth inventorying.

Exploitation context

The bundle states remote attackers can read local files via crafted HTML. There is no KEV listing and no cited evidence of active exploitation. Practical impact depends on what files the renderer process can access.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description, the upstream issue reference, and Debian LTS advisory. No CVSS, CWE, KEV entry, or broad affected-product matrix is provided in the bundle, so exposure assessment should be environment-specific.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory wkhtmltopdf installations and versions across servers, containers, and build images.
  • Apply vendor or distribution security updates, including Debian guidance where applicable.
  • Avoid processing untrusted HTML with vulnerable wkhtmltopdf until remediation is confirmed.
  • Run PDF rendering with least-privilege file access where operationally possible.
  • Monitor wkhtmltopdf and distribution advisories for precise fixed-version guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether wkhtmltopdf through 0.12.5 is present in production or CI images.
  • Map PDF workflows that accept user, partner, or externally fetched HTML.
  • Verify package provenance and whether Debian security update DLA 3158-1 applies.
  • Review renderer runtime permissions for access to secrets, keys, and application files.
  • Document remediation status and residual trusted-template-only exceptions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

File access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-21365 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.