# CVE-2026-123841: JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA code execution via symlinks in settings archive

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123841-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-before-2026-3-code-execution-was  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-06. Updated: 2026-11-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-123841 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-06

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA is a code editor used by software developers to write and debug applications. An attacker can execute arbitrary code on a developer's machine by crafting a malicious settings archive with symlinks that gets imported into IDEA. This could lead to compromise of the developer's system and access to source code or credentials.

Technologies: [Jetbrains IntelliJ IDEA](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/intellij-idea). Vendors: [Jetbrains](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/jetbrains).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-123841 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-123841 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-123841?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 6 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Jetbrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-123841?** Yes: fixed in IntelliJ IDEA 2026.3. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-123841 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-123841?** Check whether you run Jetbrains IntelliJ IDEA at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in IntelliJ IDEA 2026.3

## Technical details

When a user imports a settings archive into IntelliJ IDEA before version 2026.3, the application does not properly validate symlinks within the archive. An attacker can craft a malicious archive containing symlinks pointing to arbitrary files on the system, allowing arbitrary file write operations that lead to code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction (importing a settings archive) to be exploited.

## Affected products

- JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.3

## Timeline

- 2026-11-06: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed/](https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed/)

## Related threats

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- [JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA code execution via Terraform File Watchers](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123849-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-before-2026-3-code-execution-was)
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- [JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA command execution via control characters in terminal completion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123847-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-before-2026-3-command-execution-was)
- [JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA blind SSRF in JSON Schema validation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123846-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-before-2026-3-blind-ssrf-was-possible)