Kakoune has a Critical RCE via Autorestore Backup Filename Injection

MITRE NVD CVE.ORG JSON API

Summary

CVECVE-2026-48120
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerGitHub_M
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2026-08-07 23:17:04 UTC
Updated2026-08-07 23:17:04 UTC
DescriptionKakoune is a code editor. Prior to version 2026.05.21, the bundled, enabled by default, `autorestore.kak` script can be exploited by malicious backup files leading to arbitrary kakoune and shell commands being executed by simply opening a file. Kakoune 2026.05.21 fixes the issue. As a workaround, add `autorestore-disable` to the user kakrc will disable the autorestore feature.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 8.6 HIGH from [email protected]

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Problem Types: CWE-74 | CWE-74 CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1[email protected]Secondary8.6HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
3.1CNADECLARED8.6HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Mawww Kakoune affected < 2026.05.21 Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
github.com/mawww/kakoune/commit/25c7b13b244fd1ddacc63ecfe1784b5ebc2ba825 [email protected] github.com
github.com/mawww/kakoune/security/advisories/GHSA-h99r-h8cp-vwcq [email protected] github.com
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