---
id: CVE-2026-48120
title: Kakoune is a code editor
summary: >-
  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 …
severity: high
cvss: 8.6
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-74
published: '2026-08-07'
updated: '2026-09-09'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-09T20:55:04.493'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48120'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/mawww/kakoune/commit/25c7b13b244fd1ddacc63ecfe1784b5ebc2ba825
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/mawww/kakoune/security/advisories/GHSA-h99r-h8cp-vwcq'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00198
epssPercentile: 0.08558
ingestedAt: '2026-09-09T21:22:45.525Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.