Artifex MuPDF control sequence

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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3.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Artifex MuPDF. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component PDF Handler. The manipulation results in control sequence. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-40505. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Artifex MuPDF (the affected version unknown). It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown part of the component PDF Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a control sequence vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-150. The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as escape, meta, or control character sequences when they are sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on integrity. CVE summarizes:

MuPDF mutool does not sanitize PDF metadata fields before writing them to terminal output, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary ANSI escape sequences through crafted PDF metadata. Attackers can embed malicious ANSI escape codes in PDF metadata that are passed unsanitized to the terminal when running mutool info, enabling them to clear the terminal display and render arbitrary text for social engineering attacks such as presenting fake prompts or spoofed commands.

The weakness was shared by Niel Duysters. The advisory is shared for download at cgit.ghostscript.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-40505 since 04/13/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

Applying the patch 0f17d789fe8c29b41e47663be82514aaca3a4dfb is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at cgit.ghostscript.com.

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

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License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 3.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 3.7

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 3.3
CNA Vector (VulnCheck): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Control sequence
CWE: CWE-150 / CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Patch: 0f17d789fe8c29b41e47663be82514aaca3a4dfb

Timelineinfo

04/13/2026 CVE reserved
04/16/2026 +3 days Advisory disclosed
04/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: artifex.com

Advisory: cgit.ghostscript.com
Researcher: Niel Duysters
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-40505 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-40505
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-357864

Entryinfo

Created: 04/16/2026 07:32
Changes: 04/16/2026 07:32 (77)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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