calibre: Bypass of Python template restrictions via nested `template()` leading to RCE
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-73248 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | GitHub_M |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-08-11 22:19:05 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-08-12 14:18:39 UTC |
| Description | calibre is an e-book manager. Prior to 9.12.0, calibre processes attacker-controlled composite_template metadata from a malicious EPUB, OPF, PDF, or similar file through program: and a nested template() call whose formatter does not inherit allow_python_templates=False, allowing a nested python: template to reach compile_python_template and execute arbitrary Python code when the file is opened or imported. This issue is fixed in version 9.12.0. |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v4.0 8.5 HIGH from [email protected]
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
EPSS: 0.001490000 probability, percentile 0.045710000 (date 2026-08-12)
Problem Types: CWE-94 | CWE-95 | CWE-94 CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') | CWE-95 CWE-95: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection')
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | [email protected] | Secondary | 8.5 | HIGH | CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/C... |
| 4.0 | CNA | DECLARED | 8.5 | HIGH | CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
CVSS v4.0 Breakdown
Attack Vector
LocalAttack Complexity
LowAttack Requirements
NonePrivileges Required
NoneUser Interaction
PassiveConfidentiality
HighIntegrity
HighAvailability
HighSub Conf.
NoneSub Integrity
NoneSub Availability
NoneCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Vendor Declared Affected Products
| Source | Vendor | Product | Version | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | Kovidgoyal | Calibre | affected < 9.12.0 | Not specified |
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/commit/dac9990458374a81a5372a768bba6527d96... | [email protected] | github.com | |
| github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/security/advisories/GHSA-4f7g-rjfp-hmvx | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | github.com | |
| github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/releases/tag/v9.12.0 | [email protected] | github.com | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
No vendor comments have been submitted for this CVE.
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.