What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-2040?

CVE-2026-2040 has a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.3 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-2040?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all systems running PDF-XChange Editor and identify business criticality. Within 7 days: Disable PDF-XChange Editor where feasible or restrict user access to trusted administrators only; implement local access controls and monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Within 30 days: Monitor vendor communications for patch availability and establish a deployment plan; consider alternative PDF solutions if patches remain unavailable.

CVE-2026-2040

HIGH

Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427)

2026-02-20 zdi-disclosures@trendmicro.com

Privilege Escalation

7.3

CVSS 3.0 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.3 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 12, 2026 - 22:04 vuln.today

CVE Published

Feb 20, 2026 - 23:16 nvd

HIGH 7.3

DescriptionCVE.org

PDF-XChange Editor TrackerUpdate Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the TrackerUpdate process. The product loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of a target user. Was ZDI-CAN-27788.

AnalysisAI

PDF-XChange Editor's TrackerUpdate process loads libraries from an unsecured location, enabling local attackers with low-privileged code execution to escalate privileges and run arbitrary code with elevated permissions. This high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.3) affects systems where an attacker has already gained initial code execution access. No patch is currently available.

Technical ContextAI

Classified as CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element). PDF-XChange Editor TrackerUpdate Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the TrackerUpdate process. The product loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage thi