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Emacs: emacs: arbitrary code execution in flymake mode

Type: advisorySources: Official CVE List

A code execution flaw was found in Emacs, affecting versions prior to 31.2. The Flymake mode using language backends other than Lisp would execute arbitrary code from the edited file while performing syntax checking. Viewing or editing untrusted files using Emacs could lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Emacs.

Products
GNU Emacs, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Affected versions
Not specified
Fixed versions
Not specified
CVEs
CVE-2026-96442
Confirmed fixed CVEs
Not specified
Updated in this feed
31 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC · Revision 2

Source evidence

Emacs: emacs: arbitrary code execution in flymake mode

core-cve · Original source

Published 23 Sept 2026, 10:10 UTC

A code execution flaw was found in Emacs, affecting versions prior to 31.2. The Flymake mode using language backends other than Lisp would execute arbitrary code from the edited file while performing syntax checking. Viewing or editing untrusted files using Emacs could lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Emacs.

cve:CVE-2026-96442

GNU Emacs

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6

Fixed versions: Not specified

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7

Fixed versions: Not specified

Complete source record
{
  "id": "85583dd719c8befc9d8e07ed767ac020df3ba25667651445c6ef437cc0f70891",
  "url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96442",
  "method": "structured",
  "payload": {
    "kind": "advisory",
    "title": "Emacs: emacs: arbitrary code execution in flymake mode",
    "summary": "A code execution flaw was found in Emacs, affecting versions prior to 31.2. The Flymake mode using language backends other than Lisp would execute arbitrary code from the edited file while performing syntax checking. Viewing or editing untrusted files using Emacs could lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Emacs.",
    "evidence": "cve:CVE-2026-96442",
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          "value": "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10",
          "evidence": "/containers/cna/affected/1/product"
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        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [],
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      },
      {
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          "evidence": "/containers/cna/affected/2/product"
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        },
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            "version": "3.1",
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            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "userInteraction": "REQUIRED",
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"
          }
        }
      ],
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          "collectionURL": "https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/",
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected"
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          "cpes": [
            "cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2"
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          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "unaffected",
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              "lessThan": "*",
              "versionType": "rpm"
            }
          ],
          "packageName": "emacs",
          "collectionURL": "https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/",
          "defaultStatus": "affected"
        },
        {
          "cpes": [
            "cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream",
            "cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos"
          ],
          "vendor": "Red Hat",
          "product": "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8",
          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "unaffected",
              "version": "1:26.1-15.el8_10.4",
              "lessThan": "*",
              "versionType": "rpm"
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          "product": "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9",
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      ],
      "modified": "2026-10-27T21:52:56.000Z",
      "provider": "cve",
      "references": [
        "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:84591",
        "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:85245",
        "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:90800",
        "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-96442",
        "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2537347",
        "https://github.com/emacs-mirror/emacs/commit/135e6f63f08fee3d374fa1a5187bce941a2d3e3c",
        "https://github.com/emacs-mirror/emacs/commit/abc802ee2eb0b1663349ddf22a461f8e54a383fb",
        "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/14/1"
      ],
      "provider_metadata": {
        "adp": [
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            "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment",
            "metrics": [
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                    "options": [
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                      },
                      {
                        "Automatable": "no"
                      },
                      {
                        "Technical Impact": "total"
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                    ],
                    "version": "2.0.3",
                    "timestamp": "2026-09-23T13:54:08.909184Z"
                  }
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            ],
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    "related_cves": [
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        "evidence": "/cveMetadata/cveId"
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    ],
    "security_relevant": true,
    "severity_evidence": "/containers/cna/metrics"
  },
  "source_id": "core-cve",
  "document_id": 400616,
  "published_at": "2026-09-23T10:10:36.734+00:00"
}