CVE-2016-4991: Input passed to the Pdf() function is shell escaped and passed to child_process.exec() during PDF rendering

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-4991?

nodepdf: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-4991 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4991 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2016-4991 affect?

CVE-2016-4991 affects nodepdf. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Input passed to the Pdf() function is shell escaped and passed to child_process.exec() during PDF rendering. However, the shell escape does not properly encode all special characters, namely, semicolon and curly braces. This can be abused t

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-4991?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-4991 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting nodepdf. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Input passed to the Pdf() function is shell escaped and passed to child_process.exec() during PDF rendering. However, the shell escape does not properly encode all special characters, namely, semicolon and curly braces. This can be abused to achieve command execution. This problem affects nodepdf 1.3.0.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77
Published	2022-07-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: nodepdf project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-07-28 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nodepdf project nodepdf DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3.0

1. Check installed version

npm ls nodepdf

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3.0

npm view nodepdf versions npm install nodepdf@"<1.3.0"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-4991?

nodepdf: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-4991 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4991 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-4991 affect?

CVE-2016-4991 affects nodepdf. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Input passed to the Pdf() function is shell escaped and passed to child_process.exec() during PDF rendering. However, the shell escape does not properly encode all special characters, namely, semicolon and curly braces. This can be abused t

How urgent is CVE-2016-4991?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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