Home/CVE/pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. An attacker who uses a vulnerability present in versions 3.7.0
CVE

CVE-2023-46250

pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. An attacker who uses a vulnerability present in versions 3.7.0

pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. An attacker who uses a vulnerability present in versions 3.7.0 through 3.16.4 can craft a PDF which leads to an infinite loop. This infinite loop blocks the current process and can utilize a single core of the CPU by 100%.

It does not affect memory usage. That is, for example, the case when the pypdf-user manipulates an incoming malicious PDF e.g. by merging it with another PDF or by adding annotations. The issue was fixed in version 3.17.0.

As a workaround, apply the patch manually by modifying pypdf/generic/_data_structures.py.

MEDIUM · CVSS 5.1 EPSS 0.00089
Monitor
  • No active-exploitation, high-EPSS, or public-exploit signals - routine patching cadence
Sigma rules0 YARA rules0
⬡

Weakness Classification

CWE-835Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')
▤

Affected Products & Versions

1
pypdf project pypdf>= 3.7.0 and < 3.17.0
▤

Affected Packages

1
Language-ecosystem packages (from OSV) tied to this CVE, with the version that fixes it - the dependency-level detail NVD doesn’t carry.
PyPI pypdf MODERATE fixed in 3.17.0
▣

Scoring & Timeline

5.1
MEDIUM · CVSS v3.1 · security-advisories@github.com
View on NVD
Attack Vector
Network Adjacent Local Physical
Attack Complexity
Low High
Privileges Required
None Low High
User Interaction
None Required
Scope
Unchanged Changed
Confidentiality
None Low High
Integrity
None Low High
Availability
None Low High
Published to NVD31 Oct 2023 · 04:15 PM
CVSS VectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
SSVC triage · cisa-vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical impact
partial
SSVC asks the questions that actually drive patch urgency: is it being exploited, can attacks be automated, and how total is the impact.
🔗

References & Sources

3
Source URLs (vendor pages, mailing lists, write-ups). Exploit/PoC links are in their own section above to avoid duplication.
https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/commit/9b23ac3c9619492570011d551d521690de9a3e2dPatch
https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/pull/2264Issue TrackingPatch
https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/security/advisories/GHSA-wjcc-cq79-p63fVendor Advisory
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