# CVE-2026-35465: SecureDrop Client has path injection in read_gzip_header_filename()

> A compromised server can achieve code execution on the SecureDrop Client VM by exploiting path traversal in gzip extraction to overwrite critical files.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 18 Apr 2026
- **Updated:** 20 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2jrc-x8fq-prvc

## What is CVE-2026-35465?

CVE-2026-35465 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in freedomofpress securedrop-client, published on 18 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

SecureDrop Client is a desktop app for journalists to securely communicate with sources and handle submissions on the SecureDrop Workstation. In versions 0.17.4 and below, a compromised SecureDrop Server can achieve code execution on the Client's virtual machine (sd-app) by exploiting improper filename validation in gzip archive extraction, which permits absolute paths and enables overwriting critical files like the SQLite database. Exploitation requires prior compromise of the dedicated SecureDrop Server, which itself is hardened and only accessible via Tor hidden services. Despite the high attack complexity, the vulnerability is rated High severity due to its significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of decrypted source submissions. This issue is similar to CVE-2025-24888 but occurs through a different code path, and a more robust fix has been implemented in the replacement SecureDrop Inbox codebase. The issue has been fixed in version 0.17.5.

Weakness: CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), CWE-36 (Absolute Path Traversal)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-35465?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Freedom Securedrop-Client.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-35465?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-35465 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-35465 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-35465 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-35465 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-35465 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in freedomofpress securedrop-client, published on 18 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-35465 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: freedomofpress securedrop-client. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-35465/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-35465/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-35465
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35465
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-35465

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-35465/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.