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Vulnerability · Published Aug 7, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2026-48120Kakoune has a Critical RCE via Autorestore Backup Filename Injection

High 8.6

In plain English

A high-severity injection in kakoune from mawww. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 10% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)8.6High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.2%top 90.4% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

Kakoune 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.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
Debian:12kakouneno fix listedDEBIAN-CVE-2026-48120
Debian:13kakouneno fix listedDEBIAN-CVE-2026-48120
Debian:14kakoune2026.05.21-1DEBIAN-CVE-2026-48120
Ubuntu:22.04:LTSkakouneno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120
Ubuntu:24.04:LTSkakouneno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120
Ubuntu:26.04:LTSkakouneno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120
Ubuntu:26.10kakouneno fix listedUBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
mawww kakoune < 2026.05.21

Weakness: CWE-74 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

References