CVE-2024-53920

emacs: arbitrary code execution via Lisp macro expansion

Published Nov 27, 2024 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.)

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4069-1 emacs security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-5871-1 emacs security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2024-52189 In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.)
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8011-1 Emacs vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.00098}

epss

{'score': 0.001}

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.4
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat rhel Eus
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.2
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat rhel Eus
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:gnu:emacs:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs through 30.0.92, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.) In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.)
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Gnu
Gnu emacs
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:gnu:emacs:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Gnu
Gnu emacs
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title emacs: arbitrary code execution via Lisp macro expansion
Weaknesses CWE-94
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs through 30.0.92, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.)
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Sep 21, 2026, 10:07 PM
Reserved
Nov 25, 2024, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Nov 27, 2024, 3:15 PM
Modified
Sep 21, 2026, 10:16 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Nov 27, 2024, 12:00 AM