Findings

CVE-2026-35465

SecureDrop Client is a desktop app for journalists to securely communicate with sources and handle submissions on the SecureDrop Workstation.

Published Apr 18, 2026 · updated Jun 17, 2026 · freedom securedrop-client

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.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Apr 18, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    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 crit

  2. Jun 17, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    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 crit

Affected

  • cpe freedom/securedrop-clientversion unspecified

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-35465

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-35465

    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 explo

    nvd.nist.gov

References

CVE-2026-35465 · ZeroDay Findings