Claude Desktop Windows: Code Execution via Path Traversal (pre-1.8089.0)
CVE-2026-88066 Published on November 3, 2026
Claude Desktop: Uncontrolled Search Path Enables Arbitrary Code Execution via Malicious Git Executable
Claude Desktop is Anthropic's desktop application for interacting with Claude. Prior to 1.8089.0, Claude Desktop on Windows invokes git.exe through uv_spawn without an absolute path, allowing Windows search-path resolution to select a malicious git.exe placed in the opened project's current working directory before the intended system executable. Opening an attacker-controlled or shared repository can therefore execute the substituted program with the user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 1.8089.0.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-88066 is exploitable with network access. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have no impact on confidentiality and integrity and availability.
Weakness Type
What is a DLL preloading Vulnerability?
The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.
CVE-2026-88066 has been classified to as a DLL preloading vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-88066
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