# CVE-2026-123842: JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA arbitrary file write via symlinks in plugin extraction

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123842-in-jetbrains-intellij-idea-before-2026-3-arbitrary-file-write  
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-2026-123842 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.1 · Published 2026-11-06

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA is a popular integrated development environment used by software developers. A flaw in how the application extracts plugin archives allows an attacker to write arbitrary files to the system through symlink manipulation, potentially enabling code execution or system compromise.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-123842 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-123842 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-123842?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.1, published 6 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-123842?** Yes: fixed in IntelliJ IDEA 2026.3 and later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-123842 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-123842?** 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 and later

## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in IntelliJ IDEA's plugin archive extraction routine, which fails to safely handle symbolic links. An attacker can craft a malicious plugin archive containing symlinks that, when extracted, write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This requires local access or social engineering to trick a user into installing a malicious plugin.

## 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)