CVE-2026-23512
SumatraPDF has an Untrusted Search Path in sumatrapdf/src/AppTools.cpp
Description
SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.2 and earlier, there is a Untrusted Search Path vulnerability when Advanced Options setting is trigger. The application executes notepad.exe without specifying an absolute path when using the Advanced Options setting. On Windows, this allows execution of a malicious notepad.exe placed in the application's installation directory, leading to arbitrary code execution.
INFO
Published Date :
Jan. 14, 2026, 9:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Jan. 14, 2026, 9:15 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2026-23512
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
No affected product recoded yet
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update SumatraPDF to version 3.5.3 or later.
- Ensure SumatraPDF does not use untrusted search paths.
- Avoid using Advanced Options with untrusted installations.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-23512.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf/commit/2762e02a8cd7cb779c934a44257aac56ab7de673 | |
| https://github.com/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf/security/advisories/GHSA-rqg5-gj63-x4mv |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-23512 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-23512
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-23512 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-23512 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jan. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.2 and earlier, there is a Untrusted Search Path vulnerability when Advanced Options setting is trigger. The application executes notepad.exe without specifying an absolute path when using the Advanced Options setting. On Windows, this allows execution of a malicious notepad.exe placed in the application's installation directory, leading to arbitrary code execution. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-426 Added Reference https://github.com/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf/commit/2762e02a8cd7cb779c934a44257aac56ab7de673 Added Reference https://github.com/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf/security/advisories/GHSA-rqg5-gj63-x4mv