VNote argument injection enables command execution via note filenames
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-78.
Summary
VNote before 4.3.0 wraps note paths in double quotes inside a command string that is reparsed into arguments when a note is opened in an external program. On Linux and macOS, a double quote in a note filename ends the quoted path and injects arguments into the configured program (CWE-88). If that program has an option that runs commands, such as vim -c, an attacker who controls a note filename can run arbitrary commands as the victim when the victim opens the note.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
VNote is a note-taking platform. Prior to 4.3.0, SessionConfig::ExternalProgram::fetchCommand wraps a note path in double quotes and substitutes it into a command string that QProcess::start(const QString&) reparses into arguments through ProcessUtils::startDetached. The automatic path in src/controllers/viewareacontroller.cpp and the Open With path in src/controllers/notebooknodecontroller.cpp both reach this sink. On Linux and macOS, an attacker-controlled double quote in a POSIX note filename can terminate the quoted path and add arguments to the victim's configured external program. If the configured program supports an argument that executes commands, such as the vim or gvim -c option, the injected arguments can execute arbitrary commands as the user. This issue is fixed in version 4.3.0.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
Upgrade VNote to version 4.3.0 or later, which fixes this issue.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
- Fix · CNA vnote (vnotex) Fixed in 4.3.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-13 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-86022
- 2026-10-14 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-10-15 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-15 Priority changed: LOW → HIGH
References
More vnotex vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-73520 Cross-site scripting in VNote YAML frontmatter exposes local files CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
- TI-2024-26798 Code Execution Vulnerability via Local File Path Traversal in Vnote CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-13044 vnotex vnote YAML Frontmatter markdownit.js cross site scripting CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 5.1
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences