---
id: CVE-2026-102998
title: pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library
summary: >-
  pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.19.0, a
  crafted PDF with form field values can cause
  pypdf/generic/_appearance_stream.py appearance-stream generation to repeat
  invariant selection-data work inside a lo…
severity: high
cvss: 7.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-400
  - CWE-606
vendor: pypdf_project
product: pypdf
affected:
  - pypdf < 6.19.0
patched:
  - pypdf 6.19.0
published: '2026-09-30'
updated: '2026-10-05'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-05T15:05:55.850'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-102998'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/commit/959467a9b95be83e2dc5ae873ece5f371263ede7
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/pull/4087'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/releases/tag/6.19.0'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf/security/advisories/GHSA-php9-fj8v-98fj'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-102998.json
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-102998'
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2544283'
  - url: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-102998'
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-102998'
  - url: 'https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-php9-fj8v-98fj'
  - url: 'https://github.com/py-pdf/pypdf'
  - url: 'https://pypi.org/project/pypdf'
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:83822'
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
  - csaf
  - vex
  - red-hat
  - ghsa
  - pip
  - osv
epss: 0.0034
epssPercentile: 0.27372
aliases:
  - GHSA-php9-fj8v-98fj
  - PYSEC-2026-4157
ecosystem: pip
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'yes'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-09-30T20:49:24.715485Z'
scores:
  nvd: 7.5
  cna: 8.7
  vendor: 7.5
ingestedAt: '2026-09-30T21:25:07.839Z'
---

## Overview

pypdf is a free and open-source pure-python PDF library. Prior to 6.19.0, a crafted PDF with form field values can cause pypdf/generic/_appearance_stream.py appearance-stream generation to repeat invariant selection-data work inside a loop when an application updates fields with flattening enabled, resulting in excessive runtimes and application unavailability. This issue is fixed in version 6.19.0.

## Affected

- `pypdf < 6.19.0`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `pypdf 6.19.0`

## Package advisory (CVE-2026-102998)

Affected packages:

- `pypdf < 6.19.0`

Patched in:

- `pypdf 6.19.0`

Source: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-php9-fj8v-98fj

## Vendor advisories

- **Red Hat VEX** · Important · affected: Lightspeed Core, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2, Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3, Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI), Red Hat Quay 3 · no fix planned: Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2, Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3, Lightspeed Core, Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI), … · updated 2026-10-17 · [vex](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-102998.json)
- **RHSA-2026:83822** · Red Hat · fixed in: Red Hat Quay 3.17 · released 2026-10-16 · [advisory](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:83822)