Description
OpenAI Codex CLI for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS automatically collected Git repository metadata without disabling the repository-local core.fsmonitor setting. If a user opens or uses an attacker-prepared repository whose preserved .git/config sets core.fsmonitor to an attacker-controlled filesystem-monitor helper, Git can execute that helper while Codex collects repository metadata. The helper runs outside Codex's command sandbox and without a user-approval prompt, allowing attacker-controlled code to run with the user's privileges. The code can 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 source repository's local .git/config; exploitation requires a repository delivered or copied with that configuration intact.
Published: 2026-09-01
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The Codex CLI and Desktop applications automatically read the local .git/config file of any repository that is opened or used. If that configuration contains a malicious core.fsmonitor entry, Git will invoke the specified filesystem‑monitor helper outside the Codex sandbox and without user approval, allowing attacker‑controlled code to run with the user’s privileges. This vulnerability, a form of configuration-based remote code execution, enables the attacker to read, modify, or delete files or otherwise compromise the user’s environment.

Affected Systems

Affected products are OpenAI Codex CLI, Codex Desktop for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The vendor’s official solution requires upgrading Codex CLI to version 0.131.0 or later, upgrading Codex Desktop for macOS to application version 26.519.22136 or later, and upgrading Codex Desktop for Windows to application version 26.519.21041 (Microsoft Store package 26.519.2081.0) or later. Until these updates are applied, the vulnerability remains present in those releases.

Risk and Exploitability

No CVSS score is provided and the EPSS score is unavailable, but the vulnerability is listed as not in the CISA KEV catalog. The flaw allows full remote code execution with the privileges of the logged‑in user. Exploitation requires an attacker to supply a repository that preserves a malicious .git/config; ordinary Git clone operations do not retain such a configuration. Given the high impact of successful exploitation, the risk is deemed high and action is urgently recommended.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 00:28 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade Codex CLI to version 0.131.0 or later; Codex Desktop for macOS to application version 26.519.22136 or later; and 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 or use repository archives or copied directories that preserve attacker-controlled .git/config.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade Codex CLI to at least version 0.131.0, or Codex Desktop for macOS to version 26.519.22136 or newer, or Codex Desktop for Windows to version 26.519.21041 (Microsoft Store package 26.519.2081.0) or newer, using the vendor’s official patch.
  • Do not open or use repository archives or copied directories that preserve an attacker‑controlled .git/config until a patch is applied; avoid loading untrusted repositories.
  • If legacy repositories must be used, remove or disable any core.fsmonitor entry in .git/config or run `git config --global core.fsmonitor ''` before opening the repository to prevent execution of a malicious helper.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 00:28 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

References
Link Providers
https://github.com/openai/codex/pull/22652 cve-icon cve-icon
History

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Codex CLI and Desktop execute attacker‑controlled Git fsmonitor helper with user privileges

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenAI Codex CLI for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS automatically collected Git repository metadata without disabling the repository-local core.fsmonitor setting. If a user opens or uses an attacker-prepared repository whose preserved .git/config sets core.fsmonitor to an attacker-controlled filesystem-monitor helper, Git can execute that helper while Codex collects repository metadata. The helper runs outside Codex's command sandbox and without a user-approval prompt, allowing attacker-controlled code to run with the user's privileges. The code can 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 source repository's local .git/config; exploitation requires a repository delivered or copied with that configuration intact.
Weaknesses CWE-15
References

Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: OAI

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-01T19:19:51.977Z

Reserved: 2026-08-12T03:54:37.942Z

Link: CVE-2026-19592

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-09-01T18:17:40.370

Modified: 2026-09-01T21:03:04.987

Link: CVE-2026-19592

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-02T00:30:04Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-15

    External Control of System or Configuration Setting