CVE-2026-34596

CVE-2026-34596 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sandboxie-plus Sandboxie with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. 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-367.

Key facts

Description

Sandboxie-Plus is an open source sandbox-based isolation software for Windows. In versions 1.17.2 and earlier, a Time-of-Check-to-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition exists during addon installation. When a user installs an addon through the SandMan interface, UpdUtil.exe is spawned as SYSTEM by SbieSvc but stages files in the user-writable %TEMP%\sandboxie-updater directory. After UpdUtil verifies file hashes against the signed addon manifest, install.bat extracts files.cab and executes config.exe from its contents. Between hash verification and extraction, an unprivileged user can replace files.cab with a crafted cabinet containing a malicious executable, which is then run as SYSTEM. No UAC prompt is required. This issue has been fixed in version 1.17.3.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-34596?
Sandboxie-Plus is an open source sandbox-based isolation software for Windows. In versions 1.17.2 and earlier, a Time-of-Check-to-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition exists during addon installation. When a user installs an addon through the SandMan interface, UpdUtil.exe is spawned as SYSTEM by SbieSvc but stages files in the user-writable %TEMP%\sandboxie-updater directory. After UpdUtil verifies file hashes against the signed addon manifest, install.bat extracts files.cab and executes config.exe from its contents. Between hash verification and extraction, an unprivileged user can replace files.cab with a crafted cabinet containing a malicious executable, which is then run as SYSTEM. No UAC prompt is required. This issue has been fixed in version 1.17.3.
How severe is CVE-2026-34596?
CVE-2026-34596 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-34596 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-34596?
CVE-2026-34596 affects Sandboxie-plus Sandboxie. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-34596?
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-2026-34596 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-34596 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-27468.
When was CVE-2026-34596 published?
CVE-2026-34596 was published on 2026-05-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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