Description
OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS could execute attacker-controlled Git hooks because automated Git operations trusted the repository's local core.hooksPath setting. If a user opens an attacker-prepared repository whose preserved .git/config points core.hooksPath to an attacker-controlled directory, Codex can run a malicious hook while processing the repository. The hook executes outside Codex's command sandbox, without user approval, and with the user's privileges, allowing it to read, change, or delete the user's files and access other resources available to the user's account. An ordinary Git clone does not preserve the attacker-controlled repository-local configuration required for exploitation.
Published: 2026-09-01
Score: 7.3 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Code Execution
Action: Patch Immediately
AI Analysis

Impact

OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS allows a malicious user to execute arbitrary code through attacker‑controlled Git hooks. The application honors the repository’s local core.hooksPath configuration without additional sandboxing. A repository that preserves a .git/config file pointing core.hooksPath to an attacker‑controlled directory can cause Codex to run a hook with the user’s privileges, enabling the attacker to read, modify, or delete personal files and access local resources. The weakness is an improper use of system‑level paths, classified as CWE‑427.

Affected Systems

The flaw affects all versions of OpenAI Codex Desktop before application version 26.519.22136 on macOS and before 26.519.21041 on Windows, including the Microsoft Store package version 26.519.2081.0. Any installation within these ranges is vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.3 reflects a high severity due to the potential for full user‑privilege code execution. The EPSS score of < 1 % indicates a low probability of exploitation at present, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Exploitation requires delivery of a crafted repository archive or a copied repository directory that retains the malicious .git/config. The attack is local and requires the victim to open the repository, but the payload runs outside Codex’s command sandbox, making the impact system‑wide.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 3, 2026 at 17:08 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade Codex Desktop for macOS to application version 26.519.22136 or later, or Codex Desktop for Windows to application version 26.519.21041 (Microsoft Store package 26.519.2081.0) or later.

Vendor Workaround

Until updated, do not open untrusted repository archives or copied repository directories that preserve attacker-supplied .git/config.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade Codex Desktop for macOS to application version 26.519.22136 or later, or for Windows to application version 26.519.21041 (Microsoft Store package 26.519.2081.0) or later.
  • Avoid opening untrusted repository archives or copied repository directories that preserve an attacker‑controlled .git/config until the patch is applied.
  • If a patch is unavailable, edit or delete the core.hooksPath entry in the repository’s .git/config before opening it in Codex to prevent hook execution.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 3, 2026 at 17:08 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

References
Link Providers
https://github.com/openai/codex/pull/22843 cve-icon cve-icon
History

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Execution of attacker‑controlled Git hooks in OpenAI Codex Desktop

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openai
Openai codex Desktop
Openai codex Desktop (microsoft Store Package)
Vendors & Products Openai
Openai codex Desktop
Openai codex Desktop (microsoft Store Package)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Execution of attacker‑controlled Git hooks in OpenAI Codex Desktop

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS could execute attacker-controlled Git hooks because automated Git operations trusted the repository's local core.hooksPath setting. If a user opens an attacker-prepared repository whose preserved .git/config points core.hooksPath to an attacker-controlled directory, Codex can run a malicious hook while processing the repository. The hook executes outside Codex's command sandbox, without user approval, and with the user's privileges, allowing it to read, change, or delete the user's files and access other resources available to the user's account. An ordinary Git clone does not preserve the attacker-controlled repository-local configuration required for exploitation.
Weaknesses CWE-427
References

Subscriptions

Openai Codex Desktop Codex Desktop (microsoft Store Package)
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: OAI

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-03T14:32:10.000Z

Reserved: 2026-08-12T03:54:29.956Z

Link: CVE-2026-19590

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-03T14:29:23.399Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Undergoing Analysis

Published: 2026-09-01T18:17:40.140

Modified: 2026-09-03T15:17:19.780

Link: CVE-2026-19590

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-03T17:15:06Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-427

    Uncontrolled Search Path Element