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.
History

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freedomofpress
Freedomofpress securedrop-client
Vendors & Products Freedomofpress
Freedomofpress securedrop-client

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title SecureDrop Client has path injection in read_gzip_header_filename()
Weaknesses CWE-36
CWE-73
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published: 2026-04-18T00:41:16.594Z

Updated: 2026-04-20T15:47:43.822Z

Reserved: 2026-04-02T19:25:52.193Z

Link: CVE-2026-35465

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-04-20T15:47:38.321Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-04-18T01:16:18.440

Modified: 2026-04-20T19:03:07.607

Link: CVE-2026-35465

cve-icon Redhat

No data.