Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability in Soda PDF Desktop Enables Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2025-12-23

Last updated on: 2025-12-23

Assigner: Zero Day Initiative

Description

Soda PDF Desktop Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Soda PDF Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the configuration of OpenSSL. The product loads an OpenSSL configuration file from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-25793.

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published

2025-12-23

Last Modified

2025-12-23

Generated

2026-07-06

AI Q&A

2025-12-24

EPSS Evaluated

2026-07-05

NVD

CVE-2025-14406

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
openssl	openssl	*
soda_pdf	soda_pdf_desktop	*

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-427	The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability in Soda PDF Desktop involves an uncontrolled search path element related to OpenSSL configuration. The product loads an OpenSSL configuration file from an unsecured location, which allows a local attacker who already has low-privileged code execution to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level and execute arbitrary code.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow a local attacker to escalate their privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM level, potentially leading to full control over the affected system. This can result in unauthorized code execution, data compromise, and disruption of system operations.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, ensure that the OpenSSL configuration file used by Soda PDF Desktop is loaded from a secure location with proper permissions to prevent unauthorized modification. Restrict local user permissions to prevent execution of low-privileged code that could exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, apply any available patches or updates from the vendor addressing this issue.

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