CVE-2026-85714 Stirling-PDF: Remote Code Execution via H2
An authenticated administrator can achieve remote code execution by uploading a crafted SQL file that bypasses validation in the H2 database import feature.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-85714?
CVE-2026-85714 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Stirling-Tools Stirling-PDF, published on 14 Oct 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Stirling-PDF is a locally hosted web application that facilitates various operations on PDF files. Prior to 2.13.2, an authenticated administrator using the default H2 database and security mode can upload a crafted SQL file to POST /api/v1/database/import-database. DatabaseService.validateSqlContent() splits normalized input on semicolons and accepts a statement when it contains any allowed keyword, allowing dangerous H2 functions such as FILE_READ and CSVWRITE, plus CREATE ALIAS, to bypass the insufficient whitelist and execute side effects when RUNSCRIPT processes the file. This permits arbitrary file access. The demonstrated operating-system command execution chain writes attacker-controlled startup files to a user-site location and then triggers an application Python interpreter configured to load those startup files, resulting in command execution as the JVM service account. This issue is fixed in version 2.13.2.
Weakness: CWE-94
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-85714?
How do I fix CVE-2026-85714?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-85714 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2026-85714 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-85714 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Nuclei template.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mrr8-934j-4g8m.