High severity · published Sep 22, 2026
CVE-2026-96269
GNU Emacs 28.1 through 31.1 allows arbitrary code execution upon opening a file, because an untrusted value of read-symbol-shorthands affects the intern and unintern functions
7.5
CVSS
0.1%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
GNU Emacs 28.1 through 31.1 allows arbitrary code execution upon opening a file, because an untrusted value of read-symbol-shorthands affects the intern and unintern functions. This affects the default configuration; no particular user settings are required to trigger it.
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.1% · higher than 4% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
EM
Emacs · GNU
28.1 through 31.1 · source: vendor
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96269
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96269
debbugs.gnu.org
https://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=80574#227
yhetil.org
https://yhetil.org/emacs/jwvtsph1aoj.fsf-monnier+emacs@gnu.org/T/#m319545e835fb71d764bf868166632d4633167a75
eshelyaron.com
https://eshelyaron.com/posts/2026-08-06-emacs-arbitrary-code-execution-returns.html
www.openwall.com
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/20/3
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