CVE-2026-48120 Kakoune has a Critical RCE via Autorestore Backup Filename Injection
Attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands by tricking users into opening files with malicious backup names in Kakoune.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-48120?
CVE-2026-48120 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in mawww kakoune, published on 7 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
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.
Weakness: CWE-74
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48120?
How do I fix CVE-2026-48120?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2026-48120 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48120 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-48120, GHSA-h99r-h8cp-vwcq, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120.