CVE-2026-33430

Briefcase: Windows MSI Installer Privilege Escalation via Insecure Directory Permissions

Published Mar 26, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.3 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Briefcase is a tool for converting a Python project into a standalone native application. Starting in version 0.3.0 and prior to version 0.3.26, if a developer uses Briefcase to produce an Windows MSI installer for a project, and that project is installed for All Users (i.e., per-machine scope), the installation process creates an directory that inherits all the permissions of the parent directory. Depending on the location chosen by the installing user, this may allow a low privilege but authenticated user to replace or modify the binaries installed by the application. If an administrator then runs the altered binary, the binary will run with elevated privileges. The problem is caused by the template used to generate the WXS file for Windows projects. It was fixed in the templates used in Briefcase 0.3.26, 0.4.0, and 0.4.1. Re-running `briefcase create` on your Briefcase project will result in the updated templates being used. As a workaround, the patch can be added to any existing Briefcase .wxs file generated by Briefcase 0.3.24 or later.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-r3r2-35v9-v238 Briefcase: Windows MSI Installer Privilege Escalation via Insecure Directory Permissions
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:beeware:briefcase:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Beeware
Beeware briefcase
Vendors & Products Beeware
Beeware briefcase
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Briefcase is a tool for converting a Python project into a standalone native application. Starting in version 0.3.0 and prior to version 0.3.26, if a developer uses Briefcase to produce an Windows MSI installer for a project, and that project is installed for All Users (i.e., per-machine scope), the installation process creates an directory that inherits all the permissions of the parent directory. Depending on the location chosen by the installing user, this may allow a low privilege but authenticated user to replace or modify the binaries installed by the application. If an administrator then runs the altered binary, the binary will run with elevated privileges. The problem is caused by the template used to generate the WXS file for Windows projects. It was fixed in the templates used in Briefcase 0.3.26, 0.4.0, and 0.4.1. Re-running `briefcase create` on your Briefcase project will result in the updated templates being used. As a workaround, the patch can be added to any existing Briefcase .wxs file generated by Briefcase 0.3.24 or later.
Title Briefcase: Windows MSI Installer Privilege Escalation via Insecure Directory Permissions
Weaknesses CWE-732
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Apr 1, 2026, 3:55 AM
Reserved
Mar 19, 2026, 6:45 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 26, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:37 AM