CVE-2026-19591

Published Sep 1, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
OpenAI Codex CLI for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS misclassified certain PowerShell commands as safe because their command-safety parser interpreted PowerShell's stop-parsing token (--%) differently than PowerShell itself. If a user opens an attacker-prepared repository and Codex follows its instructions, Codex can run a file-writing Git command without requesting user approval. On macOS and Linux, exploitation additionally requires separately installed PowerShell Core (pwsh) to be invoked. If filesystem protections permit the write, the command can modify Codex's configuration. If Codex later loads the modified configuration, it can launch an attacker-controlled MCP server and execute code with the user's privileges, allowing it to read, change, or delete files accessible to that account. The approval bypass does not disable filesystem sandboxing; the default filesystem sandbox on macOS and Linux can prevent writes outside permitted locations.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade Codex CLI to version 0.131.0 or later, Codex Desktop for macOS to application version 26.519.22136 or later, or Codex Desktop for Windows to application version 26.519.21041 (Microsoft Store package 26.519.2081.0) or later.


Vendor Workaround

Until updated, do not open or follow instructions from untrusted repositories. On macOS and Linux, keep filesystem sandboxing enabled.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
References
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openai
Openai codex Cli
Openai codex Desktop
Openai codex Desktop (microsoft Store Package)
Vendors & Products Openai
Openai codex Cli
Openai codex Desktop
Openai codex Desktop (microsoft Store Package)
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Codex Bypass of PowerShell Stop‑Parsing Token Leading to Local Code Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Codex Bypass of PowerShell Stop‑Parsing Token Leading to Local Code Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenAI Codex CLI for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS misclassified certain PowerShell commands as safe because their command-safety parser interpreted PowerShell's stop-parsing token (--%) differently than PowerShell itself. If a user opens an attacker-prepared repository and Codex follows its instructions, Codex can run a file-writing Git command without requesting user approval. On macOS and Linux, exploitation additionally requires separately installed PowerShell Core (pwsh) to be invoked. If filesystem protections permit the write, the command can modify Codex's configuration. If Codex later loads the modified configuration, it can launch an attacker-controlled MCP server and execute code with the user's privileges, allowing it to read, change, or delete files accessible to that account. The approval bypass does not disable filesystem sandboxing; the default filesystem sandbox on macOS and Linux can prevent writes outside permitted locations.
Weaknesses CWE-150
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
OAI
Published
Updated
Sep 2, 2026, 6:34 PM
Reserved
Aug 12, 2026, 3:54 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 1, 2026, 6:17 PM
Modified
Sep 2, 2026, 7:17 PM