CVE-2026-42589

Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.31.0, Gotenberg's /forms/pdfengines/metadata/write HTTP endpoint accepts a JSON metadata object and passes its keys directly to ExifTool via the go-exiftool library. No validation is performed on key characters. A \n embedded in a JSON key splits the ExifTool stdin stream into a new argument line, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary ExifTool flags — including -if, which evaluates Perl expressions. This achieves unauthenticated OS command execution in a single HTTP request. The response is HTTP 200 with a valid PDF, making the attack transparent to basic monitoring. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.31.0.

CVSS v3 9.8 CRITICAL

9.8^/10

CVSS v3 : CRITICAL

Vector :

Exploitability : 3.9 / Impact : 5.9

Attack Vector NETWORK

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required NONE

User Interaction NONE

Confidentiality Impact HIGH

Integrity Impact HIGH

Availability Impact HIGH

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657	Exploit Mitigation Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657	Exploit Mitigation Vendor Advisory

Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:thecodingmachine:gotenberg:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

History

No history.

Information

Published : 2026-05-14 16:16

Updated : 2026-06-17 10:48

NVD link : CVE-2026-42589

Mitre link : CVE-2026-42589

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-42589

JSON object : View

Products Affected

thecodingmachine

gotenberg

CWE

CWE-78

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

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