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CVE-2026-40281

Thecodingmachine Gotenberg vulnerability

10.0 CRITICALPublic exploitEPSS 2.09%
  1. Published6 May 2026

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.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionNone
ScopeChanged
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Thecodingmachine Gotenberg< 8.31.0

Remediation

Fixed in
Thecodingmachine Gotenberg≥ 8.31.0

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2026-40281 being actively exploited?

CVE-2026-40281 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. A public exploit reference exists, so treat it as exploitable. Its EPSS exploit probability is 2.09%.

How severe is CVE-2026-40281?

CVE-2026-40281 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 2.09% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2026-40281?

Affected products include Thecodingmachine Gotenberg.

How do I fix CVE-2026-40281?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Thecodingmachine Gotenberg 8.31.0 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-40281 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.