CVE-2024-53920: In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code co

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-53920?

emacs: upgrade to 30.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-53920 being exploited?

CVE-2024-53920 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2024-53920 affect?

CVE-2024-53920 affects emacs. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary c

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2024-53920 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting emacs. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. (This unsafe expansion also occurs if a user chooses to enable on-the-fly diagnosis that byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code.)

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 51%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2024-11-27
Last modified	2026-09-21

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu

Last updated 2026-09-21 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-11-27 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-21 22:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu emacs UPGRADE

Affected: < 30.1

Fixed in: 30.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy emacs || rpm -q emacs || emacs --version

2. UPGRADE to 30.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade emacs

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade emacs

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-53920?

emacs: upgrade to 30.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-53920 being exploited?

CVE-2024-53920 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-53920 affect?

CVE-2024-53920 affects emacs. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In elisp-mode.el in GNU Emacs before 30.1, a user who chooses to invoke elisp-completion-at-point (for code completion) on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion that allows attackers to execute arbitrary c

How urgent is CVE-2024-53920?

Priority 39/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-6861 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE A flaw was found in GNU Emacs
CVE-2024-39331 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE In Emacs before 29.4, org-link-expand-abbrev in lisp/ol.el expands a %(...) link abbrev even when it specifies
CVE-2024-30205 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE UPGRADE In Emacs before 29.3, Org mode considers contents of remote files to be trusted
CVE-2024-30204 LOW 2.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE In Emacs before 29.3, LaTeX preview is enabled by default for e-mail attachments.
CVE-2024-30203 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE In Emacs before 29.3, Gnus treats inline MIME contents as trusted.

References

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