CVE-2026-40171: Help extension · Jupyter Notebook Vulnerable to Authentication Token Theft via CommandLinker XSS
Affects @jupyter-notebook/help-extensionSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High : upgrade to 7.5.6 soon.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.5.6, 4.5.7
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 6 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade @jupyter-notebook/help-extension and notebook to 7.5.6; jupyterlab and @jupyterlab/help-extension to 4.5.7.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| npm@jupyter-notebook/help-extension | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| PyPInotebook | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| PyPIjupyterlab | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| npm@jupyterlab/help-extension | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
### Impact A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jupyter Notebook allows attackers to steal authentication tokens from users who open malicious notebook files and interact with elements that the attacker can make look indistinguishable from legitimate controls (single click interaction). The vulnerability enables complete account takeover through the Jupyter REST API, allowing the attacker to: 1. Read all files 2. Modify/create files 3. Access running kernels and execute arbitrary code 4. Create terminals for shell access ### Patches Jupyter Notebook 7.5.6 and JupyterLab 4.5.7 include patches for this vulnerability. ### Workarounds The help extension can be disabled via CLI: ``` jupyter labextension disable @jupyter-notebook/help-extension jupyter labextension disable @jupyterlab/help-extension ``` ### Hardening The patched versions include a toggle to disable the command linker functionality altogether, for example via `overrides.json`: ```json { "@jupyterlab/apputils-extension:sanitizer": { "allowCommandLinker": false } } ``` ### Resources - https://jupyterlab.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user/commands.html#commands-in-markdown-output-and-files ### Acknowledgments Reported by Daniel Teixeira - NVIDIA AI Red Team