CVE-2026-42589: Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-42589?

gotenberg: upgrade to 8.31.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-42589 being exploited?

CVE-2026-42589 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-2026-42589 affect?

CVE-2026-42589 affects gotenberg. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.31.0, Gotenberg's /forms/pdfengines/metadata/write HTTP endpoint accepts a JSON metadata object and passes its keys directly to ExifTool via the go-exiftool library. No v

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-42589?

Priority 74/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-42589 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gotenberg. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.31.0, Gotenberg's /forms/pdfengines/metadata/write HTTP endpoint accepts a JSON metadata object and passes its keys directly to ExifTool via the go-exiftool library. No validation is performed on key characters. A \n embedded in a JSON key splits the ExifTool stdin stream into a new argument line, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary ExifTool flags — including -if, which ev

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2026-05-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: thecodingmachine

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-14 16:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

thecodingmachine gotenberg UPGRADE

Affected: < 8.31.0

Fixed in: 8.31.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 8.31.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gotenberg

Note

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

Exact fixes by distribution

Go · github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/v8 · NO FIX YET · vulnerable: = 8.29.1 · source

Fedora 46 · proftpd · FIXED · 1.3.9e-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-fc0d87d66e · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-fc0d87d66e

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: fineman999/POC_CVE-2026-42589 (3 stars)
GitHub PoC: HackfutSecRoot/-GOTENBERG-RCE-CHAIN (2 stars)
GitHub PoC: codeb0ssx/CVE-2026-42589xCVE-2026-40281-PoC (0 stars)
Write-up: github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657
Nuclei scan template: Gotenberg - Command Injection

Advisories and coverage

Research and news

VulnCheck Blog: Cache Me If You Can: Unpacking a Go Implant and Its Toolkit 2026-10-26

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-2026-42589?

gotenberg: upgrade to 8.31.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-42589 being exploited?

CVE-2026-42589 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-2026-42589 affect?

CVE-2026-42589 affects gotenberg. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. Prior to 8.31.0, Gotenberg's /forms/pdfengines/metadata/write HTTP endpoint accepts a JSON metadata object and passes its keys directly to ExifTool via the go-exiftool library. No v

How urgent is CVE-2026-42589?

Priority 74/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Docker vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-40280 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Gotenberg is an API-based document conversion tool
CVE-2026-39383 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE Gotenberg is an API-based document conversion tool
CVE-2026-42597 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files
CVE-2026-42596 CRITICAL 9.4 UPGRADE Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files
CVE-2026-42595 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files

References

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