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Pdfbox CVE-2026-23907

MEDIUM
Path Traversal (CWE-22)
2026-03-10 security@apache.org GHSA-jjwr-xmw6-gf78
Apache Path Traversal Canonical Pdfbox
5.3
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: apache
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-22
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Impact

CVSS 5.3 (MEDIUM). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Apache PDFBox versions 2.0.24-2.0.35 and 3.0.0-3.0.6 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example that allows attackers to write files outside the intended extraction directory by manipulating embedded file names. Organizations that have integrated this example code into production systems are at risk of unauthorized file writes on the host system. No patch is currently available, requiring developers to manually implement path validation to ensure extracted files remain within the designated directory.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 5.3

This issue affects the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example in Apache PDFBox: from 2.0.24 through 2.0.35, from 3.0.0 through 3.0.6. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affected Packages

maven org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox-examples fix: 3.0.7

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in maven

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-22 (Path Traversal). Affects from 2.0.24. This issue affects the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example in Apache PDFBox: from 2.0.24 through 2.0.35, from 3.0.0 through 3.0.6.

The ExtractEmbeddedFiles example contains a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) because the filename that is obtained from PDComplexFileSpecification.getFilename() is appended to the extraction path.

Users who have copied this example into their production code should review it to ensure that the extraction path is acceptable. The example has been changed accordin

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Severity by source

Vendor (apache) PRIMARY 5.3 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
SUSE MEDIUM
Red Hat 6.5 MEDIUM

Primary rating from Vendor (apache).

CVSS VectorVendor: apache

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch released
Mar 31, 2026 - 21:13 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Mar 10, 2026 - 18:18 nvd
MEDIUM 5.3

DescriptionCVE.org

This issue affects the ExtractEmbeddedFiles example in Apache PDFBox: from 2.0.24 through 2.0.35, from 3.0.0 through 3.0.6.

The ExtractEmbeddedFiles example contains a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) because the filename that is obtained from PDComplexFileSpecification.getFilename() is appended to the extraction path.

Users who have copied this example into their production code should review it to ensure that the extraction path is acceptable. The example has been changed accordingly, now the initial path and the extraction paths are converted into canonical paths and it is verified that extraction path contains the initial path. The documentation has also been adjusted.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using This should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-23907, a path traversal vulnerability rated CVSS 5.3. This could allow unauthorized file access. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: restrict file access via WAF, implement allowlists.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 99% exploitable
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High
NVD CVE.org EPSS Vendor GitHub VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

26
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +26
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path Traversal HIGH

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:apache:pdfbox:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:apache:pdfbox:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-22 – Path Traversal

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Vendor StatusVendor

SUSE

Severity: Medium
Product Status
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 Fixed

References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/?id.349941 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/10/1 REF https://github.com/JoakimBulow/ REF https://lists.apache.org/thread/gyfq5tcrxfv7rx0z2yyx4hb3h53ndffw

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