CVE-2026-68766Public exploit

Arbitrary file append via restore option injection

Published Aug 22, 2026 · Updated Aug 22, 2026

Argument injection in hashcat 7.1.2 and earlier allows local users to append attacker-controlled content to arbitrary writable files. The restore parser copies stored argument strings verbatim and passes them to user_options_getopt() without an option allowlist, enabling output-path controls. A user must run hashcat with --restore against the crafted file; a guaranteed crack can append a command to a shell startup file for execution at that user's privileges.

CVSS severity8.5
High
EPSS probability0.16%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Argument injection in hashcat 7.1.2 and earlier allows local users to append attacker-controlled content to arbitrary writable files. The restore parser copies stored argument strings verbatim and passes them to user_options_getopt() without an option allowlist, enabling output-path controls. A user must run hashcat with --restore against the crafted file; a guaranteed crack can append a command to a shell startup file for execution at that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-68766
Published
Aug 22, 2026
Updated
Aug 22, 2026
Vendor
hashcat
Product
hashcat
Classifications
CWE-88, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 22, 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=0 <=7.1.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

hashcat · hashcatversion=0 <=7.1.2

Published CVSS scores

7.8VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.5VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-88Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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