CVE-2026-6645 Insecure Search Path Vulnerability in PaperCut Print Deploy Client for Windows
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by exploiting an insecure search path in the PaperCut Print Deploy Client updater.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-6645?
CVE-2026-6645 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in PaperCut Print Deploy, published on 22 Jun 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
An insecure process execution vulnerability exists in the pc-printer-updater.exe component of the PaperCut Print Deploy Client for Windows. The application, which typically operates with high-level system privileges, attempts to perform an internal validation check by invoking a secondary system utility using an unqualified file reference.
Because the application does not specify an absolute path to this utility, it relies on the operating system's default search order to locate the executable. Under specific conditions, a local attacker with the ability to modify directories within the system's search path could plant a malicious binary that mimics the expected utility. This could result in the malicious code being executed with SYSTEM privileges, leading to a full compromise of the affected host.
Weakness: CWE-427
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-6645?
How do I fix CVE-2026-6645?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-6645 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-2026-6645 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-6645 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-7rjc-r662-4qm8.