CVE-2026-33929: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Apache PDFBox

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-33929 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting pdfbox. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Apache PDFBox Examples. This issue affects the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example in Apache PDFBox: from 2.0.24 through 2.0.36, from 3.0.0 through 3.0.7. Users are recommended to update to version 2.0.37 or 3.0.8 once available. Until then, they should apply the fix provided in GitHub PR 427. The ExtractEmbeddedFiles example contained a path traversal

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 47%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2026-04-14
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-14 09:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache pdfbox UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.0.24 and < 2.0.37 · >= 3.0.0 and < 3.0.8

Fixed in: 2.0.37, 3.0.8

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.24

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.0.37 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pdfbox

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.24 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdfbox sudo apt install pdfbox=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.24> sudo apt-mark hold pdfbox

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdfbox sudo dnf downgrade pdfbox-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.24> sudo dnf versionlock add pdfbox

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-2026-33929?

pdfbox: upgrade to 2.0.37, 3.0.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-33929 being exploited?

CVE-2026-33929 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-2026-33929 affect?

CVE-2026-33929 affects pdfbox. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Apache PDFBox Examples. This issue affects the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example in Apache PDFBox: from 2.0.24 through 2.0.36, from 3.0.0 through 3

How urgent is CVE-2026-33929?

Priority 33/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

GitHub vulnerabilities

References

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