---
id: "CVE-2026-122137"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-122137"]
title: "Powerlevel10k: insecure temp directory lets local user replace gitstatusd binary"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 6.7
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["package", "powerlevel10k", "shell-config", "zsh"]
not_affected_if: ["powerlevel10k-not-installed", "single-user-machine"]
published_at: "2026-11-04T21:18:09+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-04T21:49:20+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-04T21:51:06+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122137", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-04T21:49:20+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Powerlevel10k: insecure temp directory lets local user replace gitstatusd binary

Powerlevel10k's bundled gitstatus install script reuses a predictable temporary directory when mktemp fails. A local attacker who pre-creates that directory can swap in their own gitstatusd binary, which then runs with the victim's privileges.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed Powerlevel10k version (`p10k version` or the theme's git tag) and see whether it is below `1.20.19`.
- Look for a `gitstatus-install.tmp` directory in the system temp location on shared or multi-user machines.

## Fix

- Powerlevel10k: move to `1.20.19` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-04T21:49:20+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-122137

## Documents

- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/powerlevel10k-before-1.20.19-insecure-temporary-directory-via-gitstatus-installer
- [fix] Patch: github.com https://github.com/romkatv/gitstatus/commit/5433ecbb9a572d6c92be9feb33642395fccc782b
- [fix] Patch: github.com https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k/commit/98bd39fd335e3f9f560e48e5c1957cb2a6a212c4

## From the sources

Powerlevel10k before 1.20.19 contains an insecure temporary directory vulnerability in the bundled gitstatus/install script that reuses attacker-creatable directories when mktemp fails. Local attackers can pre-create the predictable gitstatus-install.tmp directory to replace the extracted gitstatusd binary, which then executes with the victim's privileges.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_