CVE-2026-18656

Executable Resolution from Untrusted Project Directory in Kiro IDE on Windows

Published Aug 4, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

An uncontrolled search path element in Kiro IDE before version 1.0.228 on Windows might allow a remote unauthenticated actor to execute arbitrary code via a maliciously crafted project directory containing an executable that bypasses workspace trust protections when a local user opens the directory.

To remediate this issue, users should upgrade to version 1.0.228 or higher.

Analysis

Technical impact

An uncontrolled search path element in Kiro IDE version 1.0.228 and earlier on Windows can allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. The flaw is triggered when a local user opens a project directory that contains a malicious executable; the directory name can circumvent workspace trust protections, causing the IDE to load and run the executable. The vulnerability is a classic path manipulation weakness and is classified as CWE‑427.

Affected Systems

The affected product is Amazon's Kiro IDE on Windows operating systems, specifically any release before 1.0.228. Users running earlier versions of the IDE are susceptible, regardless of other software installed.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.5 indicates high severity, and the lack of an EPSS score means the exploitation probability is unknown, but the vulnerability remains exploitable due to the remote input vector presented by untrusted project directories. The product is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, but the potential for executable code execution by an unauthenticated actor makes it a critical issue. Attackers can trigger the flaw simply by creating a specially named project directory containing an executable and causing a user to open that directory.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Amazon

Kiro IDE

unaffected

Version	Status	Constraints
`1.0.0`	affected	≤ 1.0.212

Configuration 1 [-]

AND

cpe:2.3:a:amazon:kiro_ide:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Amazon

Kiro Ide

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[1.0.0,1.0.212]`	affected	semver	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Upgrade to Kiro IDE version 1.0.228 or later to eliminate the path manipulation flaw
Configure the IDE to only load projects from explicitly trusted directories and enable workspace trust warnings before opening untrusted locations
Restrict write permissions to project directories and use antivirus scanning to detect and block malicious executables

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 4, 2026 at 21:31 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Attack Requirements None

User Interaction Passive

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact High

Vulnerable System Availability Impact High

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.224% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/2026-074-aws/
https://kiro.dev/changelog/ide/1-0/#patch-1-0-228

History

Aug 18, 2026 3:00 PM First appearance in the feed. Affected versions updated. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Microsoft Microsoft windows
CPEs		cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:::::::*
Vendors & Products		Microsoft Microsoft windows

Aug 5, 2026 4:30 PM Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Metrics		ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

Aug 4, 2026 8:15 PM Description updated. Title updated. First appearance in the feed. Weaknesses updated. Affected versions updated. Affected vendors updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		An uncontrolled search path element in Kiro IDE before version 1.0.228 on Windows might allow a remote unauthenticated actor to execute arbitrary code via a maliciously crafted project directory containing an executable that bypasses workspace trust protections when a local user opens the directory. To remediate this issue, users should upgrade to version 1.0.228 or higher.
Title		Executable Resolution from Untrusted Project Directory in Kiro IDE on Windows
First Time appeared		Amazon Amazon kiro Ide
Weaknesses		CWE-427
CPEs		cpe:2.3:a:amazon:kiro_ide::::::::
Vendors & Products		Amazon Amazon kiro Ide
References		https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/2026-074-aws/ https://kiro.dev/changelog/ide/1-0/#patch-1-0-228
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}` cvssV4_0 `{'score': 8.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}`