Prior to 6.21.4, pypdf can enter an infinite loop while opening a crafted incomplete PDF whose standard
Affects pypdfSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 6.21.4 : patch pypdf soon.
Data as of 4 Nov 2026, 05:00 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (GitHub_M) | CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 |
|---|
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.21.4
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Oct 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 3 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10pypdfpkg:deb/ubuntu/pypdf?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSpypdfpkg:deb/ubuntu/pypdf?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSpypdfpkg:deb/ubuntu/pypdf?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Upgrade to pypdf version 6.21.4 or later, where this infinite loop issue is fixed. No other mitigation is required.
Description
pypdf versions prior to 6.21.4 can enter an infinite loop when opening a specially crafted incomplete PDF file. The issue occurs if the PDF's standard cross-reference table reaches the end of the file without a trailer, causing the parser to repeatedly rewind to the same position and block processing. This flaw is fixed in version 6.21.4.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-119203 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-119203 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/commit/06593f993789a4b573dd955730c1a7051128bb2a (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/pull/4289 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/releases/tag/6.21.4 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/security/advisories/GHSA-5849-834g-hvw5 (opens in a new tab)