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TI-2026-73521 Aliases CVE-2026-86022

VNote argument injection enables command execution via note filenames

Priority HIGH 66CWE-78Published · Updated

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

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.0021 11th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed vnote (vnotex): 4.3.0

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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
vnotexvnotebefore 4.3.04.3.0Patch availableCNA
  • vnote Vendorvnotex Affected before 4.3.0 Fixed in 4.3.0 Patch available CNA

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

  1. 2026-10-13 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-86022
  2. 2026-10-14 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
  3. 2026-10-15 CISA SSVC decision points changed
  4. 2026-10-15 Priority changed: LOW → HIGH

References

  • 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