CVE-2026-95835: Missing ownership check on the shared memory object named by the kitty askpass escape code

Published Sep 25, 2026
·
Updated

Missing Authorization in the askpass escape code handler in kitty from 0.25.0 before 0.49.0 allows a local user other than the one running the terminal to obtain the text typed into a prompt that kitty itself displays, because handleremoteaskpass() in kitty/window.py opens the POSIX shared memory object named in the escape code, parses a prompt definition out of it, and writes the user's answer back into an object of that same name, without at any point checking that the object is owned by the user running kitty or that its permissions exclude other users. The equivalent consumer of the same SharedMemory class in the ssh kitten performs exactly that check; the askpass path did not. The handler is reached through a device control string processed from the byte stream of the window, so the attacker must also cause bytes of their choosing to be displayed by the victim's terminal. Where the POSIX shared memory namespace is shared between the two users, a second local user can create an object with permissions that allow the victim to read and write it, cause the victim's kitty to render a prompt of the attacker's choosing, including a masked password prompt, and read the typed secret back out of the object afterwards. The prompt text is additionally passed to the display without control character sanitisation, so it can overwrite the warning line kitty prints above it. The answer is written by reopening an object of that name when the user answers, rather than through the handle already held. This results in disclosure of a secret typed by the victim to a second local user, and does not require any privilege on the victim's account.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Kitty Kitty>=0.25.0<0.49.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade kitty to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.49.0

Event History

Sep 25, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:33 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:33 PM
RemedyDescriptionWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which installations are exposed to this issue?

Kitty versions from 0.25.0 before 0.49.0 are affected. Exploitation also requires the POSIX shared-memory namespace to be shared between the attacker and the user running kitty.

2

What access does an attacker need?

The attacker must already be a different local user and be able to create a shared-memory object that the victim can read and write. They must also cause attacker-controlled bytes to be displayed in the victim's kitty terminal.

3

What can an attacker obtain?

An attacker can cause kitty to display a prompt they control, including a masked password prompt, and read the text typed by the victim into that prompt.

4

How can I determine whether my version is affected?

Check the installed kitty version. Versions earlier than 0.25.0 are not identified as affected by the provided information, while versions from 0.25.0 up to but excluding 0.49.0 are affected.

Contact

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