CVE-2026-22561: Vulnerability in Anthropic Claude Desktop - Windows
Uncontrolled search path elements in Anthropic Claude for Windows installer (Claude Setup.exe) versions prior to 1.1.3363 allow local privilege escalation via DLL search-order hijacking. The installer loads DLLs (e.g., profapi.dll) from its own directory after UAC elevation, enabling arbitrary code execution if a malicious DLL is planted alongside the installer.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Anthropic Claude Desktop for Windows installer (Claude Setup.exe) versions before 1.1.3363 contain a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability (CWE-427). The installer loads DLLs such as profapi.dll from its own directory after UAC elevation, allowing a local attacker to escalate privileges by placing a malicious DLL in the installer's directory. This vulnerability has a CVSS 4.7 (medium) score, reflecting local attack vector with low complexity and partial user interaction required. No cloud service is involved, and no vendor patch information is available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected Windows system by executing arbitrary code with elevated rights. This could lead to unauthorized actions on the system. However, there are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid running the vulnerable installer from untrusted directories and ensure the installer's directory does not contain untrusted DLLs. Monitor vendor communications for updates on patches or official mitigations.
CVE-2026-22561: Vulnerability in Anthropic Claude Desktop - Windows
Description
Uncontrolled search path elements in Anthropic Claude for Windows installer (Claude Setup.exe) versions prior to 1.1.3363 allow local privilege escalation via DLL search-order hijacking. The installer loads DLLs (e.g., profapi.dll) from its own directory after UAC elevation, enabling arbitrary code execution if a malicious DLL is planted alongside the installer.
CVSS v4.0
Score 4.7medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Anthropic Claude Desktop for Windows installer (Claude Setup.exe) versions before 1.1.3363 contain a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability (CWE-427). The installer loads DLLs such as profapi.dll from its own directory after UAC elevation, allowing a local attacker to escalate privileges by placing a malicious DLL in the installer's directory. This vulnerability has a CVSS 4.7 (medium) score, reflecting local attack vector with low complexity and partial user interaction required. No cloud service is involved, and no vendor patch information is available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected Windows system by executing arbitrary code with elevated rights. This could lead to unauthorized actions on the system. However, there are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid running the vulnerable installer from untrusted directories and ensure the installer's directory does not contain untrusted DLLs. Monitor vendor communications for updates on patches or official mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- hackerone
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-07T15:39:03.440Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69cbedf2e6bfc5ba1d2480e7
Added to database: 03/31/2026, 15:53:22 UTC
Last enriched: 05/11/2026, 01:42:31 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:57 UTC
Views: 561
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