CVE-2026-48120

Arbitrary command execution via crafted backup filenames

Published Aug 7, 2026 · Updated Aug 7, 2026

Command injection in Kakoune before 2026.05.21 allows local users to execute arbitrary Kakoune and shell commands via a crafted backup filename. The enabled-by-default autorestore.kak script interpolates a selected backup path into generated Kakoune commands without escaping it or restricting its suffix to portable filename characters. Execution occurs in the editor user's context when that user opens a file beside the malicious backup, exposing data and processes accessible to that account.

CVSS severity8.6
High
EPSS probability0.14%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in Kakoune before 2026.05.21 allows local users to execute arbitrary Kakoune and shell commands via a crafted backup filename. The enabled-by-default autorestore.kak script interpolates a selected backup path into generated Kakoune commands without escaping it or restricting its suffix to portable filename characters. Execution occurs in the editor user's context when that user opens a file beside the malicious backup, exposing data and processes accessible to that account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-48120
Published
Aug 7, 2026
Updated
Aug 7, 2026
Vendor
Maxime Coste
Product
Kakoune
Classifications
CWE-74, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 7, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 2026.05.21

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Maxime Coste · Kakouneversion=< 2026.05.21

Published CVSS scores

8.6GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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