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 evaluates Perl expressions. This achieves unauthenticated OS command execution in a single HTTP request. The response is HTTP 200 with a valid PDF, making the attack transparent to basic monitoring. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.31.0.
References
| Link | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657 | Exploit Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
| https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657 | Exploit Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
Configurations
History
18 May 2026, 13:01
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| CPE | cpe:2.3:a:thecodingmachine:gotenberg:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| First Time |
Thecodingmachine gotenberg
Thecodingmachine |
|
| References | () https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657 - Exploit, Mitigation, Vendor Advisory |
14 May 2026, 20:17
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| References | () https://github.com/gotenberg/gotenberg/security/advisories/GHSA-rqgh-gxv4-6657 - |
14 May 2026, 16:16
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| New CVE |
Information
Published : 2026-05-14 16:16
Updated : 2026-05-18 13:01
NVD link : CVE-2026-42589
Mitre link : CVE-2026-42589
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-42589
JSON object : View
Products Affected
thecodingmachine
- gotenberg
CWE
CWE-78
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
