CVE-2026-40281Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary file overwrite via metadata value newlines

Published May 6, 2026 · Updated May 6, 2026

Argument injection in Gotenberg 8.30.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to overwrite container files via crafted PDF metadata values. The WriteMetadata function passes unsanitized string values to go-exiftool's line-based ExifTool stdin protocol, where a newline starts a pseudo-tag argument. Unauthenticated access to the metadata write endpoint is sufficient to move processed PDFs, overwrite files, or create symbolic and hard links inside the container.

CVSS severity10.0
Critical
EPSS probability0.61%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Argument injection in Gotenberg 8.30.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to overwrite container files via crafted PDF metadata values. The WriteMetadata function passes unsanitized string values to go-exiftool's line-based ExifTool stdin protocol, where a newline starts a pseudo-tag argument. Unauthenticated access to the metadata write endpoint is sufficient to move processed PDFs, overwrite files, or create symbolic and hard links inside the container.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-40281
Published
May 6, 2026
Updated
May 6, 2026
Vendor
Gotenberg
Product
Gotenberg
Classifications
CWE-88, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 6, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=<= 8.30.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Gotenberg · Gotenbergversion=<= 8.30.1

Published CVSS scores

9.1NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
10.0GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-88Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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