CVE-2026-75056 in IntelliJ IDEA
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2026
In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.2.1 rCE via Markdown export tool was possible
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2026
The vulnerability identified in versions of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA prior to the release of version 2026.2.1 represents a critical remote code execution flaw embedded within the application's markdown export functionality. This security issue stems from an improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, specifically known as Command Injection or CWE-78. The core technical flaw lies in how the IDE processes user-supplied input when generating exported documents. When a developer utilizes the built-in tool to convert project documentation or code snippets into markdown format, the application fails to adequately sanitize specific characters and command sequences contained within the source material. Instead of treating these inputs strictly as static text content for formatting purposes, the underlying export engine interprets certain patterns as executable system commands. This misinterpretation allows an attacker who can influence the content being exported—such as through a maliciously crafted plugin, a compromised project file shared by a colleague, or potentially via a sophisticated phishing vector targeting documentation—to inject arbitrary shell commands that are then executed with the privileges of the user running the IDE.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution on the developer's local machine. Since IntelliJ IDEA typically runs with full user permissions, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute system-level operations including reading sensitive configuration files, exfiltrating source code repositories containing proprietary intellectual property or credentials, installing malware, or pivoting further into a corporate network if the development environment is connected to internal resources. This aligns closely with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use command-line interfaces to execute malicious instructions. Furthermore, because this vulnerability exists within an IDE used for writing code, it poses a unique risk profile compared to standard web application vulnerabilities; it targets the trust relationship between developers and their development tools, potentially leading to widespread compromise across multiple projects if shared templates or plugins are affected.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate software updates as provided by JetBrains in version 2026.2.1, which addresses the input validation logic within the markdown export module. Until such an update is applied, developers should exercise extreme caution when opening project files from untrusted sources and avoid using the automatic export features on content that has not been thoroughly reviewed for embedded malicious payloads. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting policies to limit the ability of arbitrary processes spawned by IDE plugins or auxiliary tools to execute system commands outside of expected paths. Regular security audits of custom plugins and templates are also recommended to ensure no similar injection vectors exist in other parts of the development workflow that interact with external file formats.