PraisonAI has critical RCE via type: job workflow YAML

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS

9.8 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS

• CVE-2026-40288: 0.61% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 49.19 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

praisonai workflow run <file.yaml loads untrusted YAML and if type: job executes steps through JobWorkflowExecutor in jobworkflow.py. This supports: - run: → shell command execution via subprocess.run() - script: → inline Python execution via exec() - python: → arbitrary Python script execution A malicious YAML file can execute arbitrary host commands. Affected Code - workflow.py → actionrun() - jobworkflow.py → execshell(), execinlinepython(), execpythonscript() PoC Create exploit.yaml: Run: Reproduction Steps 1. Save the YAML above as exploit.yaml. 2. Execute praisonai workflow run exploit.yaml. 3. Confirm pwned.txt appears in the working directory. Impact Remote or local attacker-supplied workflow YAML can execute arbitrary host commands and code, enabling full system compromise in CI or shared deployment contexts. Reporter: Lakshmikanthan K (letchupkt)

Published by the source

10 Apr 2026, 19:32 UTC

Last modified by the source

29 Jun 2026, 12:26 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 13:40 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Amended from osv record GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm

3. Revision 1 · created · 23 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-40288

Advisory: PraisonAI has critical RCE via `type: job` workflow YAML
IDs: CVE-2026-40288, GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-40288 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 13:40 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: praisonaiagents 1.5.140; praisonai 4.5.139. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- PyPI praisonaiagents: affected <= 1.5.139; fixed in 1.5.140
- PyPI praisonai: affected <= 4.5.138; fixed in 4.5.139

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `python -m pip show praisonaiagents`: prints the installed version. Run with the environment that serves production active.
- `python -m pip show praisonai`: prints the installed version. Run with the environment that serves production active.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on praisonaiagents, praisonai.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm lists affected ranges: PyPI praisonaiagents >=0 =0 <=4.5.138)
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm (OSV record GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm lists affected ranges: PyPI praisonaiagents >=0 =0 <4.5.139 (fixed))

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