# CVE-2026-85618: ConvertX xelatex arbitrary file read via LaTeX input directives

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85618-convertx-xelatex-arbitrary-file-read-via-latex-input-directives  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-04. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85618 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-09-04

ConvertX is a self-hosted file conversion service that supports converting LaTeX documents to PDF. An authenticated attacker can upload specially crafted LaTeX files containing input directives (like \input{/etc/passwd}) to force the server to read arbitrary files and include their contents in the generated PDF, exposing sensitive system files or application data.

Technologies: [C4illin ConvertX](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/convertx). Vendors: [C4illin](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/c4illin).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85618 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85618 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85618?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 4 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** C4illin ConvertX 0.17.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85618?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-85618 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85618?** Check whether you run C4illin ConvertX 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.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an arbitrary file read in the xelatex converter component caused by insufficient input sanitization of LaTeX directives. When a user uploads a .tex file, the converter passes it directly to the latexmk/xelatex command without filtering dangerous TeX macros like \input{} and \verbatiminput{} that can reference arbitrary filesystem paths. An authenticated attacker can exploit this by uploading a malicious .tex file containing these directives; the TeX engine then reads the specified files and includes their content in the output PDF. The attack requires authentication and file upload capability. A fix is available in version 0.18.0 or later.

## Affected products

- C4illin ConvertX 0.17.0

## Timeline

- 2026-09-04: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/C4illin/ConvertX](https://github.com/C4illin/ConvertX)
- [https://github.com/C4illin/ConvertX/blob/v0.18.0/src/converters/xelatex.ts](https://github.com/C4illin/ConvertX/blob/v0.18.0/src/converters/xelatex.ts)

## Related threats

- [ConvertX CSRF in file deletion endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59977-convertx-is-a-self-hosted-file-conversion-service-prior-to-0-18-0)
- [ConvertXis a self-hosted online file converter. In versions prior to 0.16.0, the endpoint `/upload` allows an…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-66449-convertxis-a-self-hosted-online-file-converter-in-versions-prior)