CVE-2026-25961

HIGH

SumatraPDF 3.5.0-3.5.2 - Remote Code Execution via Update Mechanism TLS Hostname Verification Bypass

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2026-25961. PoCs published by banyamer, XiaomingX, mbanyamer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC demonstrates a remote code execution vulnerability in SumatraPDF by serving a malicious update server that exploits the lack of TLS hostname verification and installer signature validation.

Description

SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.0 through 3.5.2, SumatraPDF's update mechanism disables TLS hostname verification (INTERNET_FLAG_IGNORE_CERT_CN_INVALID) and executes installers without signature checks. A network attacker with any valid TLS certificate (e.g., Let's Encrypt) can intercept the update check request, inject a malicious installer URL, and achieve arbitrary code execution.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by banyamer · pythonwebappsmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52535

This PoC demonstrates a remote code execution vulnerability in SumatraPDF by serving a malicious update server that exploits the lack of TLS hostname verification and installer signature validation.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: SumatraPDF 3.5.0 - 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: MITM position · network traffic redirection
devstral-2 · analyzed May 05, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 10 stars
by XiaomingX · pythonpoc
https://github.com/XiaomingX/data-cve-poc-py-v1/tree/main/2026/CVE-2026-25961

This repository contains a functional PoC for CVE-2026-25961, demonstrating how an attacker can exploit SumatraPDF's insecure update mechanism by hosting a malicious update server. The PoC includes a Flask-based server that serves a forged update response and a dummy payload, simulating the RCE attack.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: SumatraPDF 3.5.0 - 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network adversary position (MITM/DNS control) · Victim interaction (clicking 'Install')
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by mbanyamer · poc
https://github.com/mbanyamer/CVE-2026-25961-SumatraPDF-3.5.0---3.5.2-RCE

This PoC demonstrates a remote code execution vulnerability in SumatraPDF 3.5.0-3.5.2 by exploiting insecure update mechanisms. It hosts a malicious update server that serves a forged update response and a dummy payload, which would execute when the victim clicks 'Install'.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: SumatraPDF 3.5.0 - 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network adversary position (MITM, DNS control, or rogue access point) · Victim must initiate an update check in SumatraPDF
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.0044
EPSS Percentile 35.4%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-295 CWE-494
Status published
Products (1)
sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf 3.5 - 3.5.2
Published Feb 09, 2026
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026