Patch Forecast
Amber warning
Patch this week.

CVE-2026-115585 · GHSA-jr96-gvgh-j3r4

pypdf: Possible long runtimes for repeated malformed cross-reference entries (Follow-up)

Risk score
61/100
CVSS
7.1 v4.0
Exploit chance (30 days)
0.5%
Published
23 Oct 2026

Open in the live forecast Today's forecast

What to know

What it is
pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.21.2, an incomplete remediation for repeated malformed cross-reference entries in GHSA-55h5-xmcq-c37v could still trigger a complete PDF stream reload during each recovery attempt even when a recovery cache was present, causing crafted cross-reference…
Affected
pypdf (pip) < 6.21.2
Fix
Upgrade pypdf to 6.21.2 or later.
Exploitation
No known exploitation

Story map

Story map: pypdfTHE FLAWSTHE FIXCVE-2026-115585Possible long runtimes forrepeated malformedcross-reference entries…CVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%CVE-2026-115572Possible long runtimes forrepeated references to thesame missing objectCVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%CVE-2026-115580Possible long runtimes forlarge xref table header limitsCVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%CVE-2026-113792Possible infinite loop inPdfWriter.find_outline_itemCVSS 6.0 · EPSS 0%Upgrade pypdf6.21.2 · 6.20.1or later on your release lineWho is exposedpypdf (pip) < 6.21.2AMBER · PATCH THIS WEEKpypdfpypdf is a free and open-sourcepure-python PDF library. Priorto 6.21.2, an incompleteremediation for repeatedmalformed cross-referenceentries inGHSA-55h5-xmcq-c37v could…Where it standsNo known exploitationCONNECTS TOSame weaknessDenial of service (CWE-400)256 other warnings in 30 days →
Story map: the flaws, the fix, how it unfolded and what it connects to. Boxes link to the record or article.

At a glance

pypdf: Amber, patch this week. pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.21.2, an incomplete remediation for repeated malformed cross-reference entries in GHSA-55h5-xmcq-c37v could still trigger a complete PDF stream reload during each recovery attempt even when a recovery cache was present, causing crafted cross-reference…

The flaws

  • CVE-2026-115585: Possible long runtimes for repeated malformed cross-reference entries (Follow-up) (CVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%)
  • CVE-2026-115572: Possible long runtimes for repeated references to the same missing object (CVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%)
  • CVE-2026-115580: Possible long runtimes for large xref table header limits (CVSS 7.1 · EPSS 1%)
  • CVE-2026-113792: Possible infinite loop in PdfWriter.find_outline_item (CVSS 6.0 · EPSS 0%)

The fix

Upgrade pypdf: 6.21.2 · 6.20.1 or later on your release line

Who is exposed: pypdf (pip) < 6.21.2

Where it stands

  • No known exploitation

Connects to

Why it is Amber

  • CVSS 7.1 high
  • Remotely exploitable without logging in
  • On your watchlist: PyPI

Affected packages

PackageEcosystemVulnerableFixed in
pypdfpip< 6.21.26.21.2

References

Original description

pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.21.2, an incomplete remediation for repeated malformed cross-reference entries in GHSA-55h5-xmcq-c37v could still trigger a complete PDF stream reload during each recovery attempt even when a recovery cache was present, causing crafted cross-reference streams to produce long runtimes. This issue is fixed in version 6.21.2.

Last activity 23 Oct 2026. Patch Forecast updates every hour.