CVE-2026-33642
Kitty has a Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write via Integer Overflow in compose_rectangles Bounds Check
Description
Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions 0.46.2 and below, the handle_compose_command() function in kitty/graphics.c performs bounds validation on composition offsets using unsigned 32-bit arithmetic that is subject to integer wrapping, potentially leading to Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write. An attacker who can write escape sequences to a kitty terminal (e.g., via a malicious file, SSH login banner, or piped content) can supply crafted x_offset/y_offset values that pass the bounds check after wrapping but cause massive out-of-bounds heap memory access in compose_rectangles(). No user interaction is required. No non-default configuration is required. The attacker only needs the ability to produce output in a kitty terminal window. This issue has been fixed in version 0.47.0.
INFO
Published Date :
May 19, 2026, 7:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
May 22, 2026, 9:05 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Kitty to version 0.47.0 or later.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-33642 has a 2 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-33642.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/commit/e9661f0f3afb4e4dbffa509adfb3df3c9780ad34 | Patch |
| https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x | Vendor Advisory Exploit Mitigation |
| https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x | Vendor Advisory Exploit Mitigation |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-33642 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-33642
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
AI-powered CVE vulnerability intelligence tool using NVD API and LLMs
Python
DSA and DLA for Debian last 14 days
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Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-33642 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-33642 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
May. 22, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:kovidgoyal:kitty:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 0.47.0 Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/commit/e9661f0f3afb4e4dbffa509adfb3df3c9780ad34 Types: Patch Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x Types: Exploit, Mitigation, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x Types: Exploit, Mitigation, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
May. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
May. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions 0.46.2 and below, the handle_compose_command() function in kitty/graphics.c performs bounds validation on composition offsets using unsigned 32-bit arithmetic that is subject to integer wrapping, potentially leading to Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write. An attacker who can write escape sequences to a kitty terminal (e.g., via a malicious file, SSH login banner, or piped content) can supply crafted x_offset/y_offset values that pass the bounds check after wrapping but cause massive out-of-bounds heap memory access in compose_rectangles(). No user interaction is required. No non-default configuration is required. The attacker only needs the ability to produce output in a kitty terminal window. This issue has been fixed in version 0.47.0. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:H Added CWE CWE-125 Added CWE CWE-787 Added CWE CWE-190 Added Reference https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/commit/e9661f0f3afb4e4dbffa509adfb3df3c9780ad34 Added Reference https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/security/advisories/GHSA-qfgm-2c64-6x3x