A flaw was found in GNU nano's multi-buffer error message handling. When a user opens multiple files at startup and one triggers an ALERT-level error, a specially crafted filename containing printf format specifiers can be reinterpreted. This format string vulnerability may allow an attacker to achieve stack information disclosure, cause a denial of service (crash), or potentially perform arbitrary memory writes.

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Workaround

Users should avoid opening untrusted files with GNU nano, especially those with filenames containing printf format specifiers (e.g., %s, %p, %n). This operational control helps prevent the exploitation of the format string vulnerability, which relies on specific filename content and error conditions during multi-buffer usage.

History

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in GNU nano's multi-buffer error message handling. When a user opens multiple files at startup and one triggers an ALERT-level error, a specially crafted filename containing printf format specifiers can be reinterpreted. This format string vulnerability may allow an attacker to achieve stack information disclosure, cause a denial of service (crash), or potentially perform arbitrary memory writes.
Title Nano: gnu nano: arbitrary memory writes, information disclosure, or denial of service via format string vulnerability in error handling.
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat openshift
Weaknesses CWE-134
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat openshift
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H'}


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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: redhat

Published:

Updated: 2026-07-23T03:55:42.246Z

Reserved: 2026-04-15T19:42:07.154Z

Link: CVE-2026-6390

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

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cve-icon Redhat

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cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

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Weaknesses