Strix
73.1K

CVE-2026-118694

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 0.45%

Last modified

CVE-2026-118694 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. python-markdown2 through 2.5.5 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows remote users to exhaust CPU by submitting Markdown with unclosed inline link destinations. Attackers can submit repeated '[a](' or '![a](' sequences, causing _find_balanced to rescan the remaining document for each link and consume quadratic CPU time.. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

python-markdown2 through 2.5.5 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows remote users to exhaust CPU by submitting Markdown with unclosed inline link destinations. Attackers can submit repeated '[a](' or '![a](' sequences, causing _find_balanced to rescan the remaining document for each link and consume quadratic CPU time.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS 4.0
8.7/10

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/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 Probability
0.45%

39.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

VendorProductVersions
trentmpython-markdown2<= 2.5.5

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Deferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-118694?
python-markdown2 through 2.5.5 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows remote users to exhaust CPU by submitting Markdown with unclosed inline link destinations. Attackers can submit repeated '[a](' or '![a](' sequences, causing _find_balanced to rescan the remaining document for each link and consume quadratic CPU time.
How severe is CVE-2026-118694?
CVE-2026-118694 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-118694?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

Related CVEs from 2026

View all 2026CVEs →

Are you affected by CVE-2026-118694?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST