// For flags

CVE-2022-45939

emacs: ctags local command execution vulnerability

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

GNU Emacs through 28.2 allows attackers to execute commands via shell metacharacters in the name of a source-code file, because lib-src/etags.c uses the system C library function in its implementation of the ctags program. For example, a victim may use the "ctags *" command (suggested in the ctags documentation) in a situation where the current working directory has contents that depend on untrusted input.

GNU Emacs hasta la versión 28.2 permite a los atacantes ejecutar comandos a través de metacaracteres de shell en el nombre de un archivo de código fuente, porque lib-src/etags.c utiliza la función de librería C del sistema en su implementación del programa ctags. Por ejemplo, una víctima puede utilizar el comando "ctags *" (sugerido en la documentación de ctags) en una situación en la que el directorio de trabajo actual tiene contenidos que dependen de entradas que no son de confianza.

A flaw was found in Etags, the Ctags implementation of Emacs. A file with a crafted filename may result in arbitrary command execution when processed by Etags.

It was discovered that Emacs incorrectly handled input sanitization. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary commands. This issue only affected Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Xi Lu discovered that Emacs incorrectly handled input sanitization. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary commands. This issue only affected Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2022-11-28 CVE Reserved
  • 2022-11-28 CVE Published
  • 2024-08-03 CVE Updated
  • 2025-03-30 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Gnu
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 Emacs
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 <= 28.2
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-
Affected
Debian
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 Debian Linux
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 10.0
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-
Affected
Debian
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 Debian Linux
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 11.0
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-
Affected
Fedoraproject
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 Fedora
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 36
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-
Affected
Fedoraproject
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 Fedora
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 37
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-
Affected