CVE-2026-23512Public exploit

User-triggered code execution via relative Notepad path

Published Jan 14, 2026 · Updated Jan 14, 2026

Untrusted search path handling in SumatraPDF 3.5.2 and earlier allows local users to execute code through Advanced Options. In AppTools.cpp, the handler launches notepad.exe by name instead of resolving the SystemRoot binary, allowing Windows to select an attacker-planted executable from the application directory. Exploitation requires a malicious notepad.exe in that directory, Notepad as the default text editor, and a user to open Advanced Options; code runs with the current user's privileges.

CVSS severity8.6
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Untrusted search path handling in SumatraPDF 3.5.2 and earlier allows local users to execute code through Advanced Options. In AppTools.cpp, the handler launches notepad.exe by name instead of resolving the SystemRoot binary, allowing Windows to select an attacker-planted executable from the application directory. Exploitation requires a malicious notepad.exe in that directory, Notepad as the default text editor, and a user to open Advanced Options; code runs with the current user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23512
Published
Jan 14, 2026
Updated
Jan 14, 2026
Vendor
SumatraPDF
Product
SumatraPDF
Classifications
CWE-426, T1574.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=<= 3.5.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

SumatraPDF · SumatraPDFversion=<= 3.5.2

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.6GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-426Untrusted Search Path
T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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