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CVE-2026-40281

10.0 · CRITICAL

Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files.

Published May 6, 2026CWE-88EPSS 2.09%

Overview

CVE-2026-40281 is a critical-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 6, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (CRITICAL).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

Technical description

Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. In versions 8.30.1 and earlier, the metadata write endpoint validates metadata keys for control characters but leaves metadata values unsanitized. A newline character in a metadata value splits the ExifTool stdin line into two separate arguments, allowing injection of arbitrary ExifTool pseudo-tags such as -FileName, -Directory, -SymLink, and -HardLink. This is a bypass of the incomplete key-sanitization fix introduced in v8.30.1. An unauthenticated attacker can rename or move any PDF being processed to an arbitrary path in the container filesystem, overwrite arbitrary files, or create symlinks and hard links at arbitrary paths.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

References

GitHubgithub.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/commit/405f1069c026bb08f319fb5a44e5c67c33208318GitHubgithub.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-q7r4-hc83-hf2qGitHubgithub.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-q7r4-hc83-hf2q

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-40281?

CVE-2026-40281 is a critical-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 6, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (CRITICAL).

How severe is CVE-2026-40281?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2026-40281?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2026-40281?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2026-40281 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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