---
id: CVE-2026-22561
title: >-
  Uncontrolled search path elements in Anthropic Claude for Windows installer
  (Claude Setup.exe) versions prior to 1.1.3363 allow local privilege escalation
  via DLL search-order hijacking
summary: >-
  Uncontrolled search path elements in Anthropic Claude for Windows installer
  (Claude Setup.exe) versions prior to 1.1.3363 allow local privilege escalation
  via DLL search-order hijacking. The installer loads DLLs (e.g., profapi.dll)
  from …
severity: high
cvss: 7.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-427
  - CWE-427
vendor: anthropic
product: claude
affected:
  - claude < 1.1.3363
patched:
  - claude 1.1.3363
published: '2026-03-31'
updated: '2026-07-24'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22561'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://trust.anthropic.com/resources?s=1cvig6ldp3zvuj1yffzr11&name=cve-2026-22561-dll-search-order-hijacking-in-claude-for-windows-installer
    label: support@hackerone.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00177
epssPercentile: 0.06475
ingestedAt: '2026-07-24T20:38:02.169Z'
---

## Overview

Uncontrolled search path elements in Anthropic Claude for Windows installer (Claude Setup.exe) versions prior to 1.1.3363 allow local privilege escalation via DLL search-order hijacking. The installer loads DLLs (e.g., profapi.dll) from its own directory after UAC elevation, enabling arbitrary code execution if a malicious DLL is planted alongside the installer.

## Affected

- `claude < 1.1.3363`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `claude 1.1.3363`