CVE-2023-27985

Name: CVE-2023-27985
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-03-09T06:15:32.987+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 1.12%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-27985 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. emacsclient-mail.desktop in Emacs 28.1 through 28.2 is vulnerable to shell command injections through a crafted mailto: URI. This is related to lack of compliance with the Desktop Entry Specification. EPSS estimates a 1.12% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

emacsclient-mail.desktop in Emacs 28.1 through 28.2 is vulnerable to shell command injections through a crafted mailto: URI. This is related to lack of compliance with the Desktop Entry Specification. It is fixed in 29.0.90

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.12%

62.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Emacs	>= 28.1, <= 28.2

References

http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/commit/?h=emacs-29&id=d32091199ae5de590a83f1542a01d75fba000467Issue Tracking, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/03/09/1Mailing List, Patch
https://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=60204Issue Tracking, Patch
https://www.gabriel.urdhr.fr/2023/06/08/emacsclient-mail-shell-elisp-injections/
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/03/08/2Mailing List, Patch
http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/commit/?h=emacs-29&id=d32091199ae5de590a83f1542a01d75fba000467Issue Tracking, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/03/09/1Mailing List, Patch
https://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=60204Issue Tracking, Patch
https://www.gabriel.urdhr.fr/2023/06/08/emacsclient-mail-shell-elisp-injections/
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/03/08/2Mailing List, Patch

Timeline

Published: Mar 9, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-27985?

How severe is CVE-2023-27985?

CVE-2023-27985 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.12% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-27985?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-27985?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST