CVE-2026-105751: Docling Arbitrary Local File Read Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2026-105751: Docling: Arbitrary local file read via draw:image xlink:href in the OpenDocument backend. Affects docling versions >= 2.107.0, < 2.120.3. Fixed in 2.120.3. How to fix ↓
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Background
Docling is an open-source document conversion tool that supports various formats, including OpenDocument. It allows users to convert documents into HTML, Markdown, and JSON formats. The tool is designed for local execution capabilities, making it suitable for sensitive data handling. However, it has a vulnerability that allows arbitrary local file reads, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the ODF backend of Docling, which resolves the xlink:href attribute of draw:image elements as filesystem paths when the referenced part is not found in the document archive. This occurs without proper checks, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious .odt file that can read arbitrary files from the host system. The lack of scheme checks and confinement to the extraction directory means that sensitive files can be accessed and disclosed, leading to potential data breaches.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.142.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "docling==2.142.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
2.120.3
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "docling==2.120.3"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the ODF backend for document conversions until you can update to the patched version. Additionally, ensure that any .odt files processed do not contain malicious xlink:href attributes that could lead to local file reads.
Conclusion
The CVE-2026-105751 vulnerability in Docling poses a significant risk by allowing arbitrary local file reads. Users are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Additionally, using Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
CVE-2026-105751 is a vulnerability in the Docling package that allows arbitrary local file reads through improperly handled xlink:href attributes in OpenDocument files.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
The risks include unauthorized access to sensitive files on the host system, potential data breaches, and the ability to use the vulnerability as a silent file existence oracle.
Yes, a patch is available in version 2.120.3 of the Docling package. Users are encouraged to update to this version.
If you cannot update immediately, avoid using the ODF backend for document conversions and ensure that any .odt files processed do not contain malicious xlink:href attributes.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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