CVE-2026-4869: Software Security Vulnerability Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g542-fwh7-jvc6
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CWE-426
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-4869 is a MODERATE security vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path) affecting Software libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The weakness occurs when the product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2026-4869 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-4869
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g542-fwh7-jvc6
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path
Affected Product Software
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-4869

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Software dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2026-4869, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Software in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path, where the product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control. In Software, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

A potential privilege escalation issue was identified in InstallShield version 2025 R2 and earlier when running compressed Basic MSI setup with Prerequisites from an insecure location. If a local administrator launches a compressed Setup.exe with Prerequisites from an unsecured location, the Prerequisite installers also might load from an unsecured location, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

References

NVD — CVE-2026-4869 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-4869
community.revenera.com/s/article/cve-2026-... WEB
https://community.revenera.com/s/article/CVE-2026-4869-Potential-Privilege-Escalation-in-InstallShield-2025-R2-running-Setup-Prerequisites-from-an-insecure-directory

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-4869?
CVE-2026-4869 is a security vulnerability in Software classified as a security vulnerability vulnerability under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path.
Which Software versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches.
What version fixes CVE-2026-4869?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-4869?
CVE-2026-4869 is classified under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path (The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2026-4869?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-g542-fwh7-jvc6",
  "modified" : "2026-10-13T15:32:26Z",
  "published" : "2026-10-13T15:32:26Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-4869" ],
  "details" : "A potential privilege escalation issue was identified in InstallShield version 2025 R2 and earlier when running compressed Basic MSI setup with Prerequisites from an insecure location. If a local administrator launches a compressed Setup.exe with Prerequisites from an unsecured location, the Prerequisite installers also might load from an unsecured location, potentially leading to privilege escalation.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/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"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-4869"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://community.revenera.com/s/article/CVE-2026-4869-Potential-Privilege-Escalation-in-InstallShield-2025-R2-running-Setup-Prerequisites-from-an-insecure-directory"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-426" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : false,
    "github_reviewed_at" : null,
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-10-13T15:17:44Z"
  }
}