CVE-2026-96269: GNU Emacs · Untrusted Functionality Inclusion
Affects GNU EmacsSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 5 Nov 2026, 00:01 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 5 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GNUEmacs | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Debiandebian/emacspkg:deb/debian/emacsOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Until an official fix is available, users should exercise caution when opening untrusted files in affected versions of GNU Emacs.
Description
GNU Emacs versions 28.1 through 31.1 contain a vulnerability that allows arbitrary code execution when opening a file. This occurs because an untrusted value of the read-symbol-shorthands variable influences the intern and unintern functions, affecting the default configuration without requiring special user settings.
References
- yhetil.org/emacs/jwvtsph1aoj.fsf-monnier+emacs@gnu.org/T/ (opens in a new tab)
- debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=80574 (opens in a new tab)
- eshelyaron.com/posts/2026-08-06-emacs-arbitrary-code-execution-returns.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/20/3 (opens in a new tab)