{"id":"CVE-2025-53000","aliases":["GHSA-xm59-rqc7-hhvf","PYSEC-2026-1691"],"url":"https://o3.security/vulnerability/CVE-2025-53000","summary":"nbconvert has an uncontrolled search path that leads to unauthorized code execution on Windows","details":"### Summary\n\nOn Windows, converting a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF results in unauthorized code execution. Specifically, a third party can create a `inkscape.bat` file that defines a [Windows batch script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batch_file), capable of arbitrary code execution.\n\nWhen a user runs `jupyter nbconvert --to pdf` on a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF on a Windows platform from this directory, the `inkscape.bat` file is run unexpectedly.\n\n### Details\n_Give all details on the vulnerability. Pointing to the incriminated source code is very helpful for the maintainer._\n\n`nbconvert` searches for an `inkscape` executable when converting notebooks to PDFs here: https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/blob/4f61702f5c7524d8a3c4ac0d5fc33a6ac2fa36a7/nbconvert/preprocessors/svg2pdf.py#L104\n\nThe MITRE page on [CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element)](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/427.html) summarizes the root cause succinctly:\n\n> In Windows-based systems, when the `LoadLibrary` or `LoadLibraryEx` function is called with a DLL name that does not contain a fully qualified path, the function follows a search order that includes two path elements that might be uncontrolled:\n> - the directory from which the program has been loaded\n> - the current working directory\n\n### PoC\n\n_Complete instructions, including specific configuration details, to reproduce the vulnerability._\n\n1. Create a directory containing: \n\n    - A hidden bat file called `inkscape.bat` containing `msg * \"You've been hacked!\"`\n\n    - A dummy ipynb file called `Machine_Learning.ipynb`\n\n2. Run the command `jupyter nbconvert --to pdf Machine_Learning.ipynb`.\n\n3. Wait a few seconds, and you should see a popup showing the message \"You've been hacked!\" \n\n### Impact\n\nAll Windows users.","published":"2025-12-17T20:27:59.578Z","modified":"2026-08-12T03:51:22.413200253Z","cvss":null,"epss":null,"cisaKev":null,"exploitsKnown":0,"affectedPackages":[{"ecosystem":"PyPI","name":"nbconvert","fixedVersion":"7.17.0"}],"fix":{"url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/commit/c9ac1d1040459ed1ff9eb34e9918ce5a87cf9d71","label":"jupyter/nbconvert@c9ac1d1"},"references":[{"type":"WEB","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/blob/4f61702f5c7524d8a3c4ac0d5fc33a6ac2fa36a7/nbconvert/preprocessors/svg2pdf.py#L104"},{"type":"WEB","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/releases/tag/v7.17.0"},{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2025/53xxx/CVE-2025-53000.json"},{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/security/advisories/GHSA-xm59-rqc7-hhvf"},{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-53000"},{"type":"REPORT","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/issues/2258"},{"type":"FIX","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/commit/c9ac1d1040459ed1ff9eb34e9918ce5a87cf9d71"},{"type":"ARTICLE","url":"https://www.imperva.com/blog/code-execution-in-jupyter-notebook-exports"},{"type":"PACKAGE","url":"https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert"}],"provenance":{"sources":["OSV.dev","FIRST.org (EPSS)"],"lastVerified":"2026-08-12T03:51:22.413200253Z"}}