CVE-2026-48735: CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling in py-pdf pypdf
pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.12.1, an attacker who uses this vulnerability can craft a PDF which leads to large memory usage. This requires parsing large XMP metadata, possibly with lots of unnecessary elements. This vulnerability is fixed in 6.12.1.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability CVE-2026-48735 affects pypdf, a pure-Python PDF library, in versions before 6.12.1. An attacker can craft a PDF containing large or complex XMP metadata with many unnecessary elements, causing the library to consume large amounts of memory without proper limits or throttling. This is categorized under CWE-770 (Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling). The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9, indicating medium severity. The issue is resolved in version 6.12.1 of pypdf.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to excessive memory consumption when parsing maliciously crafted PDFs, potentially causing denial of service by exhausting system resources. There is no indication of code execution or data compromise. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade pypdf to version 6.12.1 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Since this is a library vulnerability, applying the official patch by updating the package is the recommended remediation. No additional mitigations are indicated.
CVE-2026-48735: CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling in py-pdf pypdf
Description
pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.12.1, an attacker who uses this vulnerability can craft a PDF which leads to large memory usage. This requires parsing large XMP metadata, possibly with lots of unnecessary elements. This vulnerability is fixed in 6.12.1.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.9medium
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability CVE-2026-48735 affects pypdf, a pure-Python PDF library, in versions before 6.12.1. An attacker can craft a PDF containing large or complex XMP metadata with many unnecessary elements, causing the library to consume large amounts of memory without proper limits or throttling. This is categorized under CWE-770 (Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling). The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9, indicating medium severity. The issue is resolved in version 6.12.1 of pypdf.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to excessive memory consumption when parsing maliciously crafted PDFs, potentially causing denial of service by exhausting system resources. There is no indication of code execution or data compromise. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade pypdf to version 6.12.1 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Since this is a library vulnerability, applying the official patch by updating the package is the recommended remediation. No additional mitigations are indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-22T19:10:35.746Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a186056e29bf47b500b42e1
Added to database: 5/28/2026, 3:33:42 PM
Last enriched: 5/28/2026, 3:49:30 PM
Last updated: 5/28/2026, 10:51:33 PM
Views: 9
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