Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions 0.46.2 and below, the handle_compose_command() function in kitty/graphics.c performs bounds validation on composition offsets using unsigned 32-bit arithmetic that is subject to integer wrapping, potentially leading to Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write. An attacker who can write escape sequences to a kitty terminal (e.g., via a malicious file, SSH login banner, or piped content) can supply crafted x_offset/y_offset values that pass the bounds check after wrapping but cause massive out-of-bounds heap memory access in compose_rectangles(). No user interaction is required. No non-default configuration is required. The attacker only needs the ability to produce output in a kitty terminal window. This issue has been fixed in version 0.47.0.
History

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Kovidgoyal
Kovidgoyal kitty
Vendors & Products Kovidgoyal
Kovidgoyal kitty

Tue, 19 May 2026 20:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 19 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Kitty is a cross-platform GPU based terminal. In versions 0.46.2 and below, the handle_compose_command() function in kitty/graphics.c performs bounds validation on composition offsets using unsigned 32-bit arithmetic that is subject to integer wrapping, potentially leading to Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write. An attacker who can write escape sequences to a kitty terminal (e.g., via a malicious file, SSH login banner, or piped content) can supply crafted x_offset/y_offset values that pass the bounds check after wrapping but cause massive out-of-bounds heap memory access in compose_rectangles(). No user interaction is required. No non-default configuration is required. The attacker only needs the ability to produce output in a kitty terminal window. This issue has been fixed in version 0.47.0.
Title Kitty has a Heap Buffer Over-Read/Write via Integer Overflow in compose_rectangles Bounds Check
Weaknesses CWE-125
CWE-190
CWE-787
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:H'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-19T19:13:23.671Z

Reserved: 2026-03-23T14:24:11.620Z

Link: CVE-2026-33642

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-19T19:13:06.368Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-05-19T19:16:49.293

Modified: 2026-05-19T21:08:41.030

Link: CVE-2026-33642

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-19T21:00:11Z