CVE-2022-24859: PyPDF2 is an open source python PDF library capable of splitting, merging, cropping, and transforming the page

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-24859?

pypdf2: upgrade to 1.27.5; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-24859 being exploited?

CVE-2022-24859 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-2022-24859 affect?

CVE-2022-24859 affects pypdf2, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). PyPDF2 is an open source python PDF library capable of splitting, merging, cropping, and transforming the pages of PDF files. In versions prior to 1.27.5 an attacker who uses this vulnerability can craft a PDF which leads to an infinite loo

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-24859?

Priority 49/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 6.2WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-24859 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting pypdf2, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PyPDF2 is an open source python PDF library capable of splitting, merging, cropping, and transforming the pages of PDF files. In versions prior to 1.27.5 an attacker who uses this vulnerability can craft a PDF which leads to an infinite loop if the PyPDF2 if the code attempts to get the content stream. The reason is that the last while-loop in `ContentStream._readInlineImage` only terminates when it finds the `EI` token, but never actually checks

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.2 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-835
Published	2022-04-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: debian · pypdf2 project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-04-18 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:32 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pypdf2 project pypdf2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.27.5

Fixed in: 1.27.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pypdf2 || rpm -q pypdf2 || pypdf2 --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.27.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pypdf2

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pypdf2

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2022-24859?

pypdf2: upgrade to 1.27.5; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-24859 being exploited?

CVE-2022-24859 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-2022-24859 affect?

CVE-2022-24859 affects pypdf2, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). PyPDF2 is an open source python PDF library capable of splitting, merging, cropping, and transforming the pages of PDF files. In versions prior to 1.27.5 an attacker who uses this vulnerability can craft a PDF which leads to an infinite loo

How urgent is CVE-2022-24859?

Priority 49/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-36464 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE pypdf is an open source, pure-python PDF library

References

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