CVE-2026-25880 Untrusted Search Path in SumatraPDF Reader (explorer.exe on Windows)

High 7.8 Published 9 Feb 2026 Updated 10 Feb 2026

Attackers can execute arbitrary code by placing a malicious binary in the PDF directory, triggering execution when users view the file location.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2026-25880?

CVE-2026-25880 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in sumatrapdfreader sumatrapdf, published on 9 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.2 and earlier, the PDF reader allows execution of a malicious binary (explorer.exe) located in the same directory as the opened PDF when the user clicks File → “Show in folder”. This behavior leads to arbitrary code execution on the victim’s system with the privileges of the current user, without any warning or user interaction beyond the menu click.

Weakness: CWE-426

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-25880?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Sumatrapdfreader Sumatrapdf.

How do I fix CVE-2026-25880?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-25880 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2026-25880 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-25880 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-5x4h-247q-px37.