User-triggered code execution via explorer search hijacking
Published Feb 9, 2026 · Updated Feb 9, 2026
Untrusted search path handling in SumatraPDF 3.5.2 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a colocated explorer.exe. The File → “Show in folder” action launches explorer.exe by name instead of a trusted absolute system path, so Windows can select a malicious copy from the opened PDF’s directory. The victim must open a PDF from an attacker-controlled directory and click the menu item; resulting code runs with the logged-in user’s privileges.
Summary
What happened
Untrusted search path handling in SumatraPDF 3.5.2 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a colocated explorer.exe. The File → “Show in folder” action launches explorer.exe by name instead of a trusted absolute system path, so Windows can select a malicious copy from the opened PDF’s directory. The victim must open a PDF from an attacker-controlled directory and click the menu item; resulting code runs with the logged-in user’s privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-25880
- Published
- Feb 9, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 9, 2026
- Vendor
- SumatraPDF
- Product
- SumatraPDF
- Classifications
- CWE-426, T1574.008
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 9, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 9, 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.
- Affected versionversion=<= 3.5.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Advisory PoC for explorer.exe search hijackingproof of concept · demonstrated
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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