Description
Stirling-PDF from 2.13.2 through 3.2.0 contains an incomplete denylist in DatabaseService.validateSqlContent() that allows administrators to bypass H2 import restrictions using CREATE OR REPLACE ALIAS. Authenticated administrators can upload a crafted SQL backup to the import-database endpoint, where RUNSCRIPT defines H2 Java function aliases and restores Java-method execution.
Published: 2026-10-20
Score: 8.6 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Arbitrary Java method execution through unvalidated alias creation in H2 database
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

Stirling-PDF versions 2.13.2 through 3.2.0 include an incomplete denylist in DatabaseService.validateSqlContent() that allows an authenticated administrator to upload a crafted SQL backup to the import-database endpoint. The backup contains a RUNSCRIPT statement that defines H2 Java function aliases using CREATE OR REPLACE ALIAS. Because the denylist does not filter this construct, the server executes the alias, granting the attacker arbitrary Java method execution with the application's privileges.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects Stirling-Tools' Stirling-PDF product, specifically all releases from 2.13.2 up to 3.2.0 inclusive. Any deployment enabling the import‑database feature for administrators is at risk.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.6 indicates a high severity, but the EPSS score is not available, so the current exploitation likelihood remains uncertain. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. Attack requires authenticated administrative access and use of the import‑database endpoint. If those conditions are met, the attacker can execute arbitrary code and potentially compromise the entire host running the application.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 20, 2026 at 17:35 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update Stirling‑PDF to a patched release (>=3.2.1) that removes the incomplete denylist and blocks the creation of aliases through RUNSCRIPT.
  • Implement strict input validation for SQL content in DatabaseService.validateSqlContent(): enforce a whitelist of allowed statements, reject any use of CREATE OR REPLACE ALIAS, and apply the prevention measures associated with CWE‑184 to mitigate the risk of injection–style misuse.
  • If an upgrade cannot be performed immediately, disable or tightly restrict the import‑database endpoint to a limited set of trusted administrators and monitor H2 logs for any alias definitions, blocking or alerting on unexpected CREATE OR REPLACE ALIAS commands.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 20, 2026 at 17:35 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Stirling-PDF from 2.13.2 through 3.2.0 contains an incomplete denylist in DatabaseService.validateSqlContent() that allows administrators to bypass H2 import restrictions using CREATE OR REPLACE ALIAS. Authenticated administrators can upload a crafted SQL backup to the import-database endpoint, where RUNSCRIPT defines H2 Java function aliases and restores Java-method execution.
Title Stirling-PDF 2.13.2 through 3.2.0 H2 SQL Denylist Bypass via import-database
First Time appeared Stirling
Stirling stirling Pdf
Weaknesses CWE-184
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:stirling:stirling_pdf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Stirling
Stirling stirling Pdf
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Subscriptions

Stirling Stirling Pdf
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-20T18:06:57.644Z

Reserved: 2026-10-20T11:48:57.874Z

Link: CVE-2026-113605

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-10-20T18:06:47.780Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-10-20T16:17:10.430

Modified: 2026-10-20T20:06:37.150

Link: CVE-2026-113605

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-20T20:15:06Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-184

    Incomplete List of Disallowed Inputs