Description
pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.18.1, a crafted PDF containing a partially malformed /FlateDecode stream with padded data can force pypdf/filters.py to use inefficient byte-by-byte decompression while the earlier recovery counter fails to advance for bytes that successfully decode, causing long runtimes and application unavailability. This is a residual issue after the malformed FlateDecode recovery fix. This issue is fixed in version 6.18.1.
Affected products
py-pdf: pypdf
References4
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/security/advisories/GHSA-jw7q-gvrg-4vj3 Vendor Advisory
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/commit/d9d38cf99b115deb562d3b68f36c3302… Patch
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/pull/4073 PatchIssue Tracking
- github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/releases/tag/6.18.1 Release Notes
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
7.5
HIGH
Score source: NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - CVSS 4.0
-
8.7
HIGH
Score source: CNA
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - EPSS — exploit probability
- 0% percentile: 28 · as of 10 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-400CWE-407
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.