CVE-2026-42589Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated RCE via ExifTool metadata-key newline injection

Published May 14, 2026 · Updated May 14, 2026

OS command injection in Gotenberg before 8.31.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands through the metadata-write HTTP endpoint. The endpoint passes unvalidated JSON metadata keys to go-exiftool; an embedded newline splits ExifTool stdin into attacker-controlled argument lines, including a -if Perl expression. No credentials or user interaction are required when the API is reachable, and commands run as the Gotenberg process user.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.01%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Gotenberg before 8.31.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands through the metadata-write HTTP endpoint. The endpoint passes unvalidated JSON metadata keys to go-exiftool; an embedded newline splits ExifTool stdin into attacker-controlled argument lines, including a -if Perl expression. No credentials or user interaction are required when the API is reachable, and commands run as the Gotenberg process user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-42589
Published
May 14, 2026
Updated
May 14, 2026
Vendor
Gotenberg
Product
Gotenberg
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 14, 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=< 8.31.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Gotenberg · Gotenbergversion=< 8.31.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/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.

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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-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
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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