PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-14898 OpenAI CVE debrief
The OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS is vulnerable to a remote image URL exfiltration attack. An attacker can induce the model to construct a remote image URL containing sensitive data, which the app automatically fetches and sends to an attacker-controlled server. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5 and a severity of MEDIUM. The app's rendering of remote images from Markdown in model responses allows an attacker to place an indirect prompt injection in content processed by Codex.
- Vendor
- OpenAI
- Product
- Codex desktop app for macOS
- CVSS
- MEDIUM 6.5
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-06
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-07
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-06
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-07
Who should care
Users of the OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS, especially those with access to sensitive information, should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary precautions. This includes inventorying and assessing the use of OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS within their organization, restricting access to sensitive information and API keys within Codex sessions, and implementing monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.
Technical summary
The OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS renders remote images from Markdown in model responses. An attacker can place an indirect prompt injection in content processed by Codex, inducing the model to construct a remote image URL containing sensitive data. The app automatically fetches this URL, sending the embedded data to an attacker-controlled server without a separate user click. Successful exploitation could exfiltrate secrets and other information accessible in the Codex session, including API keys, source code, and data returned by connected tools. No direct integrity or availability impact was demonstrated.
Defensive priority
Medium
Recommended defensive actions
- Inventory and assess the use of OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS within your organization.
- Restrict access to sensitive information and API keys within Codex sessions.
- Implement monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.
- Apply vendor remediation as available.
- Consider compensating controls, such as network monitoring and filtering.
- Review relevant logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
- Track exceptions and retest remediated assets.
Evidence notes
The CVE record was published on 2026-07-06T20:16:30.580Z and last modified on 2026-07-07T16:16:37.877Z. The NVD entry is currently Awaiting Analysis. This vulnerability affects the OpenAI Codex desktop app for macOS, which renders remote images from Markdown in model responses. An attacker can place an indirect prompt injection in content processed by Codex, inducing the model to construct a remote image URL containing sensitive data. The app automatically fetches this URL, sending the embedded data to an attacker-controlled server without a separate user click. Successful exploitation could exfiltrate secrets and other information accessible in the Codex session, including API keys, source code, and data returned by connected tools.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-14898 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-14898
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-14898 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14898
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://openai.com/codex/
8f4f43ab-ba69-4d92-aa1d-d772184d6fb7
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.