python-markdown2 through 2.5.5 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows remote users to exhaust CPU by
Affects python-markdown2Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.7 High.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 01:14 UTC
- Affects
- quadratic CPU consumption. python-markdown2 through 2.5.5
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 28 Oct 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
PyPIpython-markdown2pkg:pypi/python-markdown2Other 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
Until a fix is available, consider input validation or limiting the complexity of Markdown input to mitigate potential exploitation.
Description
python-markdown2 versions through 2.5.5 have a denial of service vulnerability where remote attackers can cause excessive CPU usage by submitting Markdown with unclosed inline link destinations. This triggers repeated rescanning of the document, resulting in quadratic CPU consumption.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118694 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/trentm/python-markdown2/issues/750 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/trentm/python-markdown2/pull/751 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/trentm/python-markdown2 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/trentm/python-markdown2/blob/2.5.5/lib/markdown2.py (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/trentm/python-markdown2/blob/2.5.5/lib/markdown2.py (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/python-markdown2-through-2.5.5-denial-of-service-via-unclosed-inline-link-destinations (opens in a new tab)