CVE-2026-49450: Joplin desktop Windows auto-updater accepts signed installer from any publisher because app-update.yml has no publisherName
Joplin is an open source note-taking and to-do application that organises notes and lists into notebooks. Prior to 3.7.2, Joplin Desktop for Windows omits publisherName from packages/app-desktop/package.json, so the generated app-update.yml causes NsisUpdater.verifySignature() to skip comparison of a downloaded update's Authenticode signer with Joplin's signer. An attacker who controls the update delivery path can replace the update metadata and installer, and the client accepts an installer signed by another publisher or left unsigned after the user approves installation. Successful exploitation runs attacker-controlled code with the user's privileges and can compromise notes, credentials, and local data. This issue is fixed in version 3.7.2.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Joplin Desktop (Windows)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.7.2
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are exposed to this issue?
Joplin Desktop installations on Windows running versions prior to 3.7.2 are affected. The issue concerns the desktop application's auto-update process.
What does an attacker need to exploit it?
An attacker must control the update delivery path so they can replace both update metadata and the installer. User interaction is also required because the user must approve installation.
Are malicious updates required to be signed with Joplin's certificate?
No. The affected updater does not compare the downloaded installer's Authenticode signer to Joplin's signer, so it can accept an installer signed by another publisher or an unsigned installer after user approval.
What is the impact if exploitation succeeds?
The attacker-controlled installer runs with the affected user's privileges. This can compromise notes, credentials, and other local data.
What version fixes the issue?
Update Joplin Desktop for Windows to version 3.7.2.