Description
In Kitty before 0.26.2, insufficient validation in the desktop notification escape sequence can lead to arbitrary code execution. The user must display attacker-controlled content in the terminal, then click on a notification popup.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | kitty | 0.21.2-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | kitty | 0.21.2-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | kitty | 0.21.2-2 | — |
| Debian 11 | kitty | 0.19.3-1+deb11u1 | DLA-4203-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | kitty | 0.21.2-1ubuntu0.22.04.1 | USN-5659-1 |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | kitty | 0.15.0-1ubuntu0.2 | USN-5659-1 |
Advisories 2
- DLA-4203-1 kitty - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-5659-1 kitty vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/commit/f05783e64d5fa62e1aed603e8d69aced5e49824f
- https://bugs.gentoo.org/868543
- https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/compare/v0.26.1...v0.26.2
- https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/changelog/#detailed-list-of-changes
- GLSA-202209-22 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2022-d718af66d1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2022-04bc7cd075 vendor-advisory