# CVE-2026-19593: OpenAI Codex Desktop arbitrary code execution via Git config

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19593-openai-codex-desktop-arbitrary-code-execution-via-git-config  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-01. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-19593 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-09-01

OpenAI Codex Desktop for Windows and macOS automatically inspects Git repository metadata when users open a workspace. An attacker can craft a malicious .git/config file with filter settings that causes Git to execute arbitrary code with the signed-in user's full privileges, bypassing Codex's security sandbox. The attacker can read, modify, or delete files and steal credentials—no user interaction or approval is required.

Technologies: [OpenAI Codex Desktop](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/codex-desktop). Vendors: [OpenAI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openai).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-19593 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-19593 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-19593?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 1 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** OpenAI Codex Desktop all versions prior to patch.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-19593?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-19593 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-19593?** Check whether you run OpenAI Codex Desktop 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.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a local code execution flaw in OpenAI Codex Desktop's workspace initialization. When a workspace is opened, Codex automatically runs Git commands to inspect repository metadata and working-tree status. An attacker can place a crafted .git/config file (via a tar/zip archive or shared repository export) that defines malicious clean or process filters using the attr.tree setting. Git will execute the attacker-controlled command on next inspection, running outside Codex's sandbox and without workspace-trust prompts or command approval. Exploitation requires Git to be installed on the user's PATH and the repository to retain its local .git/config (standard Git clones strip this, but archives or explicit pulls preserve it). The attacker gains file system and credential access as the signed-in user.

## Affected products

- OpenAI Codex Desktop all versions prior to patch

## Timeline

- 2026-09-01: disclosed

## References

- [https://openai.com/codex](https://openai.com/codex)

## Related threats

- [Codex Desktop for Windows code execution via unquoted path in file explorer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110930-codex-desktop-for-windows-does-not-correctly-check-quotation)
- [OpenAI Codex CLI and Desktop Git fsmonitor code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19592-openai-codex-cli-and-desktop-git-fsmonitor-code-execution)
- [OpenAI Codex CLI and Desktop PowerShell command-safety bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19591-openai-codex-cli-and-desktop-powershell-command-safety-bypass)
- [OpenAI Codex Desktop arbitrary code execution via Git hooks](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19590-openai-codex-desktop-arbitrary-code-execution-via-git-hooks)