CVE-2019-19589: The Lever PDF Embedder plugin 4.4 for WordPress does not block the distribution of polyglot PDF documents that

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-19589 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting pdf embedder. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Lever PDF Embedder plugin 4.4 for WordPress does not block the distribution of polyglot PDF documents that are valid JAR archives. Note: It has been argued that "The vulnerability reported in PDF Embedder Plugin is not valid as the plugin itself doesn't control or manage the file upload process. It only serves the uploaded PDF files and the responsibility of uploading PDF file remains with the Site owner of Wordpress installation, the upload

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 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-436
Published	2019-12-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: wp-pdf

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-12-05 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:26 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wp-pdf pdf embedder DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdf-embedder || rpm -q pdf-embedder || pdf-embedder --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdf-embedder sudo apt install pdf-embedder=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4> sudo apt-mark hold pdf-embedder

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdf-embedder sudo dnf downgrade pdf-embedder-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4> sudo dnf versionlock add pdf-embedder

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-2019-19589?

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

Is CVE-2019-19589 being exploited?

CVE-2019-19589 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-2019-19589 affect?

CVE-2019-19589 affects pdf embedder. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Lever PDF Embedder plugin 4.4 for WordPress does not block the distribution of polyglot PDF documents that are valid JAR archives. Note: It has been argued that "The vulnerability reported in PDF Embedder Plugin is not valid as the plug

How urgent is CVE-2019-19589?

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

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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