CVE-2026-54055

5.0 MEDIUM 0.1% exploit odds Fix listed Auth & access

What it is

Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions prior to 0.47.2, a local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in kitty's file transmission protocol where a child process running in the terminal can write to arbitrary files on the filesystem by exploiting a TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) race condition between symlink validation and file creation. The `os.open()` call used to create files does not use `O_NOFOLLOW`, allowing an attacker to create a symlink between the initial stat check and the actual file open, causing the write to follow the symlink to an arbitrary destination. Version 0.47.2 fixes the issue.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. High risk of data tampering.
Exploit odds: 0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2026-06-12 20:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-10-26 11:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2026-06-12 20:16 UTC
Last modified: 2026-10-26 11:10 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-59
Record status: Analyzed

Affected

Kovidgoyal Kitty < 0.47.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.0

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: High
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: High
Availability: Low

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-54055.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-54055. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record