CVE-2026-80432

What it is

Missing Authorization in the drop handling path of the drag and drop protocol in kitty from 0.47.0 before 0.49.0 allows a program writing to the terminal to obtain the contents of files dragged over the window even when the user never completes the drop, because drop_enqueue_request() in kitty/dnd.c serves a drag data request without first checking the drop state of the window, so a client that issues the request while a drag is merely hovering receives the data offered for the drag. In the same file, drop_left_child(), which runs when the drag leaves the window without a drop having occurred, releases the offered MIME list but retains the pending request state, the open file descriptor and its main loop transfer timer, the directory handles, the URI list and the pending MIME name, so a client can continue to read through a retained directory handle, and an in-flight file transfer continues to stream, when no drag is in progress. The file contents are read from the filesystem by the kitty process itself using the paths the drag source offered. This results in disclosure of the contents of files the user moved over the window without ever releasing them into it.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

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

1. 2026-09-25 17:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-29 21:32 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-09-25 17:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-29 21:32 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-862 · Missing authorization

Record status

Awaiting Analysis

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 6.0

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Passive

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

None