CVE-2026-42590
CVE-2026-42590 is a high-severity vulnerability in Thecodingmachine Gotenberg with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-184.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.2)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (21st percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-30316
- Weakness: CWE-184
- Affected product: Thecodingmachine Gotenberg
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.30.0, The ExifTool metadata write blocklist in Gotenberg can be bypassed using ExifTool's group-prefix syntax, enabling arbitrary file rename, move, hardlink, and symlink creation on the server. ExifTool supports group-prefix syntax where File:FileName is processed identically to FileName -- the prefix is stripped by SetNewValue in Writer.pl before tag matching. The safeKeyPattern regex (^[a-zA-Z0-9\-_.:]+$) allows colons, so prefixed tag names pass validation. Any prefix works: File:FileName, System:Directory, a:HardLink, etc. Additionally, FilePermissions, FileUserID, and FileGroupID pseudo-tags are not blocked at all and can modify file attributes without any prefix. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.30.0.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-42590?
- Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.30.0, The ExifTool metadata write blocklist in Gotenberg can be bypassed using ExifTool's group-prefix syntax, enabling arbitrary file rename, move, hardlink, and symlink creation on the server. ExifTool supports group-prefix syntax where File:FileName is processed identically to FileName -- the prefix is stripped by SetNewValue in Writer.pl before tag matching. The safeKeyPattern regex (^[a-zA-Z0-9\-_.:]+$) allows colons, so prefixed tag names pass validation. Any prefix works: File:FileName, System:Directory, a:HardLink, etc. Additionally, FilePermissions, FileUserID, and FileGroupID pseudo-tags are not blocked at all and can modify file attributes without any prefix. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.30.0.
- How severe is CVE-2026-42590?
- CVE-2026-42590 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability low.
- Is CVE-2026-42590 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2026-42590?
- CVE-2026-42590 affects Thecodingmachine Gotenberg. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-42590?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2026-42590 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-42590 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-30316.
- When was CVE-2026-42590 published?
- CVE-2026-42590 was published on 2026-05-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:thecodingmachine:gotenberg:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Thecodingmachine Gotenberg
- CVE-2026-40281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. In versions 8.30.1 and earlier, the metadata write endpoint…
- CVE-2026-42589 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.31.0, Gotenberg's…
- CVE-2026-35458 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Gotenberg is an API for converting document formats. In 8.29.1 and earlier, Gotenberg uses dlclark/regexp2 to compile…
- CVE-2020-13452 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Gotenberg through 6.2.1, insecure permissions for tini (writable by user gotenberg) potentially allow an attacker to…
- CVE-2020-13451 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An incomplete-cleanup vulnerability in the Office rendering engine of Gotenberg through 6.2.1 allows an attacker to…
- CVE-2020-13450 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A directory traversal vulnerability in file upload function of Gotenberg through 6.2.1 allows an attacker to upload and…
All CVEs affecting Thecodingmachine Gotenberg →
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