Sandboxie: Improper Access Control
CVE-2026-45313 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Sandboxie from Sandboxie-plus, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.7 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. Affected Sandboxie versions: < 1.17.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.15% 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
- Check which version of Sandboxie you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandboxie-plus | Sandboxie | < 1.17.6 | Not stated |
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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Sandboxie-Plus is an open source sandbox-based isolation software for Windows. Prior to 1.17.6, GuiServer::WndHookRegisterSlave in Sandboxie/core/svc/GuiServer.cpp stores attacker-supplied hthread and hproc fields from a GUI_WND_HOOK_REGISTER request without validating that the thread belongs to the sandboxed process or that the function pointer is in the caller address space, and GuiServer::WndHookNotifySlave then calls OpenThread(THREAD_SET_CONTEXT, FALSE, whk->hthread) and QueueUserAPC((PAPCFUNC)whk->hproc, hThread, (ULONG_PTR)req->threadid) as SYSTEM, allowing a sandboxed process to execute arbitrary code in an unsandboxed host process. This issue is fixed in version 1.17.6.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in Sandboxie
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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