CVE-2026-23512: sumatrapdfreader sumatrapdf · Untrusted Search Path
Affects sumatrapdfreader sumatrapdfSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.6 High.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 13% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 14 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| sumatrapdfreadersumatrapdf | Affected
| Fixed in– |
GitHubsumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdfpkg:github/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdfOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Until a patch is released, organizations should restrict access to the SumatraPDF installation directories to prevent unauthorized file placement. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that detect or block execution of unauthorized binaries in application directories. Educate users to avoid triggering Advanced Options unless necessary and to report suspicious behavior. Employ least privilege principles to limit user rights, reducing the impact of arbitrary code execution. Regularly audit installed software versions and maintain an inventory to identify vulnerable instances. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect lateral movement attempts following exploitation. Finally, consider alternative PDF readers with better security postures if immediate patching is not feasible.
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.