CVE-2026-42881 STIGQter: Arbitrary File Write leading to Local Code Execution via Export HTML
An attacker can achieve local code execution by tricking a user into exporting a malicious STIG file to HTML, allowing arbitrary file writes.
- 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-2026-42881?
CVE-2026-42881 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in squinky86 STIGQter, published on 14 May 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
STIGQter is an open-source reimplementation of DISA's STIG Viewer. From 0.1.2 to before 1.2.7, an attacker can achieve local code execution (LCE) with the privileges of the user running STIGQter. This requires user interaction: the victim must open the malicious .stigqter file and explicitly run the "Export HTML" action. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.2.7.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-42881?
How do I fix CVE-2026-42881?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-42881 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-2026-42881 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-42881 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mcv5-5j7p-vqh7.