# CVE-2026-68766: hashcat command injection via restore file parsing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68766-hashcat-command-injection-via-restore-file-parsing  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-22. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-68766 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-08-22

hashcat is a widely-used password recovery tool. The vulnerability allows an attacker to craft a malicious restore file that injects command-line options, enabling arbitrary file write and potential code execution through shell startup file manipulation. An attacker can distribute a crafted restore file that, when processed by a victim, appends malicious commands to shell configuration files, leading to code execution when the user's shell starts.

Technologies: [Hashcat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/hashcat). Vendors: [Hashcat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/hashcat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-68766 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-68766 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-68766?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 22 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Hashcat prior to patch for CVE-2026-68766.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-68766?** 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-2026-68766 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-68766?** Check whether you run Hashcat 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 command injection flaw in hashcat's restore file parser that fails to validate or restrict command-line options when reconstructing the original command from a saved restore state. An attacker can craft a restore file containing malicious options like --outfile or --potfile-path with attacker-controlled paths and content. When hashcat parses and reconstructs the command from the restore file, it does not sanitize these options, allowing the attacker to write arbitrary content to files, including shell startup files (.bashrc, .profile, etc.), resulting in arbitrary code execution. The attack requires the victim to process a malicious restore file, but requires no authentication or special privileges from hashcat itself.

## Affected products

- hashcat hashcat prior to patch for CVE-2026-68766

## Timeline

- 2026-08-22: disclosed
- 2026-08-22: advisory: CVE-2026-68766 published

## References

- [https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat](https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat)
- [https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/v7.1.2/src/restore.c](https://github.com/hashcat/hashcat/blob/v7.1.2/src/restore.c)

## Related threats

- [hashcat heap-based buffer overflow in outfile_write](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68768-hashcat-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-outfile-write)
- [hashcat out-of-bounds heap write in fgetl() function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68767-hashcat-out-of-bounds-heap-write-in-fgetl-function)
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- [A heap-based buffer overflow in the Kerberos hash parser in hashcat v7.1.2 allows an attacker to cause a denial of…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42483-a-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-the-kerberos-hash-parser-in)
- [A stack-based buffer overflow in mangle_to_hex_lower() and mangle_to_hex_upper() in src/rp_cpu.c in hashcat v7.1.2…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42482-a-stack-based-buffer-overflow-in-mangle-to-hex-lower-and-mangle)