Emacs <31.2 Flymake Arbitrary Code Exec
CVE-2026-96442 Published on September 23, 2026
Emacs: emacs: arbitrary code execution in flymake mode
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.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-96442 is exploitable with local system access, requires user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be very high.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public.
Weakness Type
What is a Code Injection Vulnerability?
The software constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
CVE-2026-96442 has been classified to as a Code Injection vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-96442
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Affected Versions
GNU Emacs:- Before 31.2 is affected.