CVE-2026-1446 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Esri ArcGIS Pro, a widely used geographic information system (GIS) software. The flaw exists in versions 3.6.0 and earlier, where improper neutralization of input during web page generation allows a local attacker to inject malicious scripts. Specifically, an attacker with local access can supply crafted input strings that are not properly sanitized and which execute when a particular dialog within ArcGIS Pro is opened. This execution can lead to the compromise of confidentiality and integrity of the application environment by enabling script-based attacks such as stealing sensitive data or manipulating application behavior. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to trigger, limiting remote exploitation but still posing a risk in environments where multiple users share workstations or where attackers have gained limited local access. The issue is tracked under CWE-79, a common web application security weakness. Esri has addressed this vulnerability in ArcGIS Pro version 3.6.1, which includes proper input validation and output encoding to prevent script injection. No public exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability's presence in a critical GIS tool used for mapping, spatial analysis, and infrastructure management makes it a notable risk. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.0 reflects a medium severity, considering the local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-1446 can be significant in sectors relying heavily on GIS data and ArcGIS Pro, such as government agencies, urban planning, environmental monitoring, utilities, and defense. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts locally, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive geospatial data, manipulation of spatial analysis results, or disruption of workflows. This could compromise decision-making processes, data integrity, and confidentiality of critical infrastructure information. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability directly, the loss of data integrity and confidentiality can have cascading effects on operational security and trustworthiness of GIS outputs. In multi-user environments or shared workstations, the risk of lateral movement or privilege escalation increases if attackers leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain. Given the strategic importance of geospatial data in Europe for security, transportation, and environmental management, the vulnerability poses a moderate but tangible risk that requires prompt attention.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade Esri ArcGIS Pro to version 3.6.1 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely application of security updates. Additionally, implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict local access to ArcGIS Pro installations to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious input injection. 2) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. 3) Review and sanitize any custom scripts, plugins, or workflows integrated with ArcGIS Pro to ensure they do not introduce similar input validation weaknesses. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening dialogs or loading data from untrusted sources within ArcGIS Pro. 5) Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Where possible, isolate GIS workstations from general-purpose user environments to reduce exposure. These targeted mitigations, combined with patching, will reduce the risk of exploitation beyond generic advice.