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.
Problem types
CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path
CWE-36: Absolute Path Traversal
Product status
References
github.com/...client/security/advisories/GHSA-2jrc-x8fq-prvc
github.com/...ommit/e518adaf897e7838467ccf9e1f28152ae6fe3655
github.com/...76d67f72d8a071202e2f39ab5/changelog.md?plain=1