CVE-2026-35465
What it is
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.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-36
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Freedom securedrop-client < 0.17.5
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-35465.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-35465. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/freedomofpress/securedrop-client/commit/e518adaf897e7838467ccf9e1f28152ae6fe3655
- https://github.com/freedomofpress/securedrop-client/security/advisories/GHSA-2jrc-x8fq-prvc
References
- https://github.com/freedomofpress/securedrop-client/blob/8dc8bb6e307b13876d67f72d8a071202e2f39ab5/changelog.md?plain=1#L8
- https://github.com/freedomofpress/securedrop-client/commit/e518adaf897e7838467ccf9e1f28152ae6fe3655
- https://github.com/freedomofpress/securedrop-client/security/advisories/GHSA-2jrc-x8fq-prvc