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9.8

OpenAI Codex Desktop runs attacker code from Git repository

CVE-2026-19593 · published 1 month ago
Summary

When a user opens a workspace, OpenAI Codex Desktop checks the Git settings of any repository it finds. If the repository contains a specially crafted Git configuration, it can cause the program to launch malicious code with the user's own permissions, allowing the attacker to read, change, or delete files and steal credentials. To mitigate the risk, avoid opening workspaces that include repositories with custom .git/config files, and ensure only trusted repositories are used.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
openai codex desktop <= 26.513.31313
<= 26.513.40821
openai codex desktop (microsoft store package) <= 26.513.4821.0
Original advisory text
OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS automatically inspected Git metadata and working-tree status when a user opened a workspace. If the workspace contains a repository with preserved attacke...
OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS automatically inspected Git metadata and working-tree status when a user opened a workspace. If the workspace contains a repository with preserved attacker-controlled .git/config, the attr.tree setting and a configured clean or process filter can cause Git to run an attacker-controlled program. The program runs outside Codex's command sandbox with the signed-in user's privileges, without a workspace-trust prompt, command approval, or interaction with a model. The attacker can read, modify, or delete files and access credentials available to that user. Exploitation requires Git to be available on PATH and the user to open the attacker-prepared repository with its local Git configuration intact. An ordinary Git clone does not copy the source repository's .git/config and is not sufficient by itself.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 3 days
Internal 60 days
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Can be exploited automatically
  • Gives an attacker full control
Severity
9.8 Critical
Exploitation
<1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-15External Control of System or Configuration Setting
Timeline
Published1 Sep 2026
Updated28 Oct 2026
First seen1 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2026-19593 · NVD
CVE-2026-19593 · MITRE
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