CVE-2025-14406 Soda PDF Desktop Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

High 7.8 Published 23 Dec 2025 Updated 31 Dec 2025

Local attackers can escalate privileges to SYSTEM by exploiting an uncontrolled search path in Soda PDF Desktop's OpenSSL configuration loading.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2025-14406?

CVE-2025-14406 is a high-severity vulnerability in Soda PDF Desktop, published on 23 Dec 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Soda PDF Desktop Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Soda PDF Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the configuration of OpenSSL. The product loads an OpenSSL configuration file from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-25793.

Weakness: CWE-427

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-14406?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Sodapdf Soda Pdf.

How do I fix CVE-2025-14406?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-14406 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2025-14406 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-14406 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-78w4-pwpr-qchm.