Is CVE-2026-40281 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2026-40281 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2026-40281 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2026-40281 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-40281?

CVE-2026-40281 has a CVSS score of 9.1 (CRITICAL).

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CRITICAL

CVE-2026-40281

CWE-88Published: May 6, 2026· Updated: May 11, 2026

9.1

CVSS v3.1

EPSS:0.09%probability of exploitation in 30 daysPercentile:24.8th

Official Description

Gotenberg is a Docker-powered stateless API for PDF files. In versions 8.30.1 and earlier, the metadata write endpoint validates metadata keys for control characters but leaves metadata values unsanitized. A newline character in a metadata value splits the ExifTool stdin line into two separate arguments, allowing injection of arbitrary ExifTool pseudo-tags such as -FileName, -Directory, -SymLink, and -HardLink. This is a bypass of the incomplete key-sanitization fix introduced in v8.30.1. An unauthenticated attacker can rename or move any PDF being processed to an arbitrary path in the container filesystem, overwrite arbitrary files, or create symlinks and hard links at arbitrary paths.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2026-40281 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.1.