Critical Local Executable Execution Risk in Kitty Package
Summary
CVE-2025-43929: open_actions.py in kitty before 0.41.0 does not ask for user confirmation before running a local executable file that may have been linked from an untrusted document (e.g., a document opened in KDE ghostwriter). Affects kitty versions < ce5cfdd9caf44c538af800a07162e1f49bd53c35. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
Kitty is a modern terminal emulator designed for performance and extensibility, widely used in various Linux distributions. It supports features like GPU rendering, multiple tabs, and a rich set of keyboard shortcuts. However, prior to version 0.41.0, Kitty has a significant security flaw that allows untrusted documents to execute local files without user confirmation, posing a risk to users' systems.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-43929, exists in the open_actions.py file of the Kitty package before version 0.41.0. It fails to prompt users for confirmation before executing local executable files linked from untrusted documents, such as those opened in KDE ghostwriter. This oversight can lead to unauthorized execution of potentially harmful files, compromising user security and system integrity.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, users can avoid opening untrusted documents in Kitty or disable the execution of local files until the package is updated. Additionally, consider using a different terminal emulator that does not exhibit this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The CVE-2025-43929 vulnerability in the Kitty package poses a significant risk by allowing untrusted documents to execute local files without user confirmation. Users are strongly advised to update to version 0.41.0 or later to mitigate this risk. For those unable to update immediately, temporary workarounds are available.
See every vulnerability recorded for kitty →
FAQ
CVE-2025-43929 is a vulnerability in the Kitty terminal emulator that allows untrusted documents to execute local files without user confirmation.
You can check your version of Kitty by running 'kitty --version' in the terminal. If it is below 0.41.0, it is affected by this vulnerability.
If you cannot update Kitty, avoid opening untrusted documents or consider using an alternative terminal emulator until the update can be applied.
More information can be found in the official CVE database or by visiting the vulnerability report at https://storage.googleapis.com/cve-osv-conversion/osv-output/CVE-2025-43929.json.
Vulert monitors open-source vulnerabilities in software using a manifest file like package-lock.json, providing real-time alerts without needing code access or installation.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for kitty.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
