# 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.

- **Severity:** High 8.6 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** Yes
- **Published:** 7 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 11 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2026-48120, GHSA-h99r-h8cp-vwcq, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-48120

## 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 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48120?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-48120?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2026-48120 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48120 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-48120 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: 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.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48120 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: mawww kakoune. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48120/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48120/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-48120
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48120
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-48120

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48120/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.