Vulnerability identifier: #VU72573

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 7.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-48337

CWE-ID: CWE-78

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Emacs
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation when parsing name of a source-code file in lib-src/etags.c. A remote attacker can trick the victim use the "etags -u *" command on the directory with attacker controlled content and execute arbitrary OS commands on the target system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Emacs: 18.59 - 28.2

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External links
http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/commit/?id=01a4035c869b91c153af9a9132c87adb7669ea1c

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.