CVE-2026-25865
CVE-2026-25865 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-428.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v4: 8.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (4th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-37940
- Weakness: CWE-428
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Punto Switcher through 4.5.0.583 contains an unquoted search path element vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the application's call to WinExec without a fully qualified path for RunDll32.exe when invoking shell32.dll Control_RunDLL input.dll. Attackers can place a malicious executable earlier in the search order to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected user.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-25865?
- Punto Switcher through 4.5.0.583 contains an unquoted search path element vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the application's call to WinExec without a fully qualified path for RunDll32.exe when invoking shell32.dll Control_RunDLL input.dll. Attackers can place a malicious executable earlier in the search order to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected user.
- How severe is CVE-2026-25865?
- CVE-2026-25865 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2026-25865 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (4th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-25865?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2026-25865 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-25865 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-37940.
- When was CVE-2026-25865 published?
- CVE-2026-25865 was published on 2026-06-18 and last updated on 2026-06-23.
References
- https://spektion.com/articles/cve-2026-25865-punto-switcher
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/punto-switcher-unquoted-search-path-via-winexec
- https://yandex.ru/soft/punto
Other CWE-428 vulnerabilities
- CVE-2022-50935 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Flame II HSPA USB Modem contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration. Attackers…
- CVE-2023-38408 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The PKCS#11 feature in ssh-agent in OpenSSH before 9.3p2 has an insufficiently trustworthy search path, leading to…
- CVE-2022-36344 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An unquoted search path vulnerability exists in 'JustSystems JUST Online Update for J-License' bundled with multiple…
- CVE-2020-9292 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An unquoted service path vulnerability in the FortiSIEM Windows Agent component may allow an attacker to gain elevated…
- CVE-2019-17658 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An unquoted service path vulnerability in the FortiClient FortiTray component of FortiClientWindows v6.2.2 and prior…
- CVE-2019-8459 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Check Point Endpoint Security Client for Windows, with the VPN blade, before version E80.83, starts a process without…