Unvalidated Input Vulnerability in Gotenberg PDF Processing API
CVE-2026-42589
Key Information:
Badges
What is CVE-2026-42589?
The Gotenberg API, designed for handling PDF file processing via Docker, suffers from a severe vulnerability prior to version 8.31.0. Specifically, the /forms/pdfengines/metadata/write HTTP endpoint fails to validate JSON metadata object keys before passing them to ExifTool through the go-exiftool library. This oversight allows an attacker to introduce new lines within the JSON key, resulting in command injection possibilities. By manipulating the ExifTool stdin stream, an attacker could execute arbitrary commands with potentially serious consequences, all achievable through a standard HTTP request that returns a valid PDF response. This vulnerability is addressed and mitigated in version 8.31.0.
Affected Version(s)
gotenberg < 8.31.0
Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)
PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.