CVE-2026-4387

Unencrypted storage of authentication state in StrongDM Desktop Application state.kv file

Published May 29, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 2 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
StrongDM Desktop Application before 23.74.0 (Desktop Client before 53.77.0) on Microsoft Windows stores authentication state, including a JSON Web Token and asymmetric key material, in cleartext in a per-user state file located at C:\Users\<username>\.sdm\state.kv. The file is protected only by default user-level NTFS permissions.



Exploitation requires local read access to the affected user's profile directory and additional deployment and execution conditions on the target host.



The condition was reported through coordinated disclosure by Hope Walker (SpecterOps).

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade the StrongDM Desktop Application to version 23.74.0 or later (Desktop Client 53.77.0 or later). The fixed release protects the state.kv file at rest using a platform-native data-protection mechanism (Windows DPAPI on Windows).

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Strongdm
Strongdm strongdm Desktop Application
Strongdm strongdm Desktop Client
Vendors & Products Strongdm
Strongdm strongdm Desktop Application
Strongdm strongdm Desktop Client
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description StrongDM Desktop Application before 23.74.0 (Desktop Client before 53.77.0) on Microsoft Windows stores authentication state, including a JSON Web Token and asymmetric key material, in cleartext in a per-user state file located at C:\Users\<username>\.sdm\state.kv. The file is protected only by default user-level NTFS permissions. Exploitation requires local read access to the affected user's profile directory and additional deployment and execution conditions on the target host. The condition was reported through coordinated disclosure by Hope Walker (SpecterOps).
Title Unencrypted storage of authentication state in StrongDM Desktop Application state.kv file
Weaknesses CWE-312
CWE-522
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
StrongDM
Published
Updated
Jun 1, 2026, 4:26 PM
Reserved
Mar 18, 2026, 1:52 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
May 29, 2026, 8:16 PM
Modified
Oct 6, 2026, 10:10 PM