CleanShot X: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE-2026-16477 is a high-severity deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in CleanShot X from MTW, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 4.5.2, 4.6.3, 4.7.8 as the first without the flaw, so updating CleanShot X to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update CleanShot X to 4.5.2 or 4.6.3 or 4.7.8 or 4.8.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTW | CleanShot X | 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.5.2; 4.6.0 up to, but not including, 4.6.3; 4.7.0 up to, but not including, 4.7.8; 4.8.0 up to, but not including, 4.8.10 | 4.5.2, 4.6.3, 4.7.8, 4.8.10 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- ActiveA user must deliberately do something unusual, such as dismissing a warning.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- LowLimited loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- LowLimited loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- LowLimited loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (cert.pl).
Official description
CleanShot X for macOS insecurely deserializes untrusted data embedded in a .cleanshot project file (editable screenshot annotations). Exploitation requires an attacker to craft a malicious .cleanshot file, deliver it to the target, and have the target open it; the payload then executes automatically during parsing, resulting in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Users who have never opened a .cleanshot file from an untrusted source are not affected by this vulnerability. This vulnerability was fixed in versions: 4.5.2, 4.6.3, 4.7.8 and 4.8.10
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If available, use the signing/sealing features of the programming language to assure that deserialized data has not been tainted. For example, a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) could be used to ensure that data has not been modified.
- When deserializing data, populate a new object rather than just deserializing. The result is that the data flows through safe input validation and that the functions are safe.
- Explicitly define a final object() to prevent deserialization.
More Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities (CWE-502)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
References
Other references
Recent Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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