# CVE-2023-26155: node-qpdf vulnerable to command injection

> Attackers can execute arbitrary commands via unsanitized input in the encrypt method of the node-qpdf library.

- **Severity:** High 7.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 14 Oct 2023
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fpr8-4wvx-j9q3

## What is CVE-2023-26155?

CVE-2023-26155 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in node-qpdf, published on 14 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

All versions of the package node-qpdf are vulnerable to Command Injection such that the package-exported method encrypt() fails to sanitize its parameter input, which later flows into a sensitive command execution API. As a result, attackers may inject malicious commands once they can specify the input pdf file path.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command), CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-26155?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including node-qpdf. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `node-qpdf` | npm | All versions to 1.0.3 | None |
| `node-qpdf` | npm | All versions to 1.0.3 | None |

Products: Nrhirani Node-Qpdf.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-26155?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-26155 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-26155 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-26155 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-26155 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-26155 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in node-qpdf, published on 14 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-26155 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- node-qpdf (npm): affected all versions up to 1.0.3; no fix listed
- node-qpdf (npm): affected all versions up to 1.0.3; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26155/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26155/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-26155
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26155
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-26155

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26155/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.