Command execution via two-argument path opens
Published Aug 12, 2026 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
OS command injection in Christian Walde PDF::WebKit 1.2 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to run OS commands via crafted paths. The to_pdf and _style_tag_for routines pass output and stylesheet paths to Perl two-argument open semantics, which interpret pipe-prefixed or pipe-suffixed values as commands instead of filenames. Exploitation requires a consuming application to pass attacker-controlled paths; commands run with the process UID, while redirect syntax can truncate files.
Summary
What happened
OS command injection in Christian Walde PDF::WebKit 1.2 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to run OS commands via crafted paths. The to_pdf and _style_tag_for routines pass output and stylesheet paths to Perl two-argument open semantics, which interpret pipe-prefixed or pipe-suffixed values as commands instead of filenames. Exploitation requires a consuming application to pass attacker-controlled paths; commands run with the process UID, while redirect syntax can truncate files.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-17431
- Published
- Aug 12, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 12, 2026
- Vendor
- Christian Walde
- Product
- PDF::WebKit
- Classifications
- CWE-73, CWE-78, T1059
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 12, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 12, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=0 <=1.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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