CVE-2026-119203 — pypdf
Fix: py-pdf/pypdf@06593f9CVE-2026-119203 is a CWE-835 vulnerability in pypdf. A fix is available for pypdf — see the affected versions and patch details below.
pypdf: Possible infinite loop when hitting EOF in standard xref table during trailer search
Exploitation Status
No confirmed exploitation observed yet
- CISA’s own triage has not observed active exploitation or public proof-of-concept code for this CVE as of its last assessment.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2026-119203.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
Real-World Exposure
pypdfReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.21.4, pypdf can enter an infinite loop while opening a crafted incomplete PDF whose standard cross-reference table reaches the end of the file without a trailer. The trailer search can repeatedly rewind to the same stream position instead of terminating when parsing makes no progress, blocking the processing thread. This issue is fixed in version 6.21.4.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | pypdf | all versions | 6.21.4pip install --upgrade 'pypdf==6.21.4' |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for pypdf, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update pypdf to 6.21.4 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2026-119203 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
Cap what an attacker can consume: apply request size, rate and timeout limits in front of the affected component, and run it with memory and CPU limits so exhaustion degrades one worker rather than the whole service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-119203 in your dependencies?
Find it across PyPI, including transitive dependencies.