# CVE-2026-3029: Artifex PyMuPDF path traversal in embedded_get function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-3029-artifex-pymupdf-path-traversal-in-embedded-get-function  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-03-19. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-3029 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-03-19

PyMuPDF is a popular Python library used for processing and manipulating PDF documents. A security flaw in its file extraction tool allows a specially crafted PDF to write files to unintended locations on a user's computer. This could allow an attacker to overwrite critical system files or disrupt services if the library is run with high-level permissions.

Vendors: [Artifex Software](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/artifex-software), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-3029 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-3029 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-3029?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 19 March 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Artifex Software PyMuPDF 1.26.5; pymupdf (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.26.5,fixed=1.26.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-3029?** Yes. pymupdf (PyPI): upgrade to 1.26.7 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-3029 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-3029?** Check whether you run Artifex Software PyMuPDF or pymupdf (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- pymupdf (PyPI): upgrade to 1.26.7 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "pymupdf>=1.26.7"
  ```


## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the 'embedded_get' function within PyMuPDF's '__main__.py'. When the 'embed-extract' command is used without a specified output path ('args.output'), the utility relies on untrusted metadata from the embedded file within the PDF to determine the destination filename. Because this metadata is opened in write-binary mode without validation, a crafted PDF can specify a path (e.g., using '../' sequences) to write files outside the intended directory. This can lead to arbitrary file overwrites on the local filesystem. The issue is fixed in version 1.26.7.

## Affected products

- Artifex Software Inc. PyMuPDF 1.26.5

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-3029
- GHSA-cxqh-p2w9-fmr7
- PYSEC-2026-3001

## Timeline

- 2025-11-19: other: Vendor notified
- 2026-02-12: disclosed: Initial public release of vulnerability note
- 2026-03-19: advisory: NVD publication and CVE assignment
- 2026-03-19: patched: Fix identified in version 1.26.7 via commit 603cafe

## References

- [http://github.com/pymupdf/PyMuPDF](http://github.com/pymupdf/PyMuPDF)
- [http://github.com/pymupdf/PyMuPDF/commit/603cafe38a183b8bab34f16d05043b4185d8d40a](http://github.com/pymupdf/PyMuPDF/commit/603cafe38a183b8bab34f16d05043b4185d8d40a)
- [https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/504749](https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/504749)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-3029](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-3029)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2449054](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2449054)
- [https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-3029.json](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-3029.json)