Description
CodeWhale versions >= 0.8.41 and < 0.8.64 contain a vulnerability in the exec_shell_interact (alias exec_interact) tool, whose approval_requirement returns ApprovalRequirement::Auto. This overrides the default Required approval for code-executing tools, so LLM-controlled stdin is written into an already-approved long-running interactive shell (e.g., a python3 -i REPL, mysql, ssh, or sudo -i session) without any approval prompt. An attacker who can inject instructions via untrusted content the agent ingests (a fetched page, MCP result, or repo file) can cause commands to run at the privilege level of that approved process. Fixed in 0.8.64.
Published: 2026-08-18
Score: 7.3 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

CodeWhale versions between 0.8.41 and 0.8.63 contain a flaw in the exec_shell_interact tool that allows the approval check to automatically approve execution. Because the tool accepts LLM‑controlled stdin and writes it into an already approved interactive shell, an attacker who can inject untrusted content into the agent can execute commands at the privilege level of that long‑running shell session. This can lead to unauthorized code execution and gain of privileges beyond the intended environment.

Affected Systems

The affected product is CodeWhale from Hmbown. Vulnerable versions are 0.8.41 through 0.8.63; the issue was fixed in version 0.8.64.

Risk and Exploitability

The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 7.3 and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, with no EPSS data available. Based on the description, the likely attack vector requires that the attacker can influence content ingestion, either locally or by sending malicious data that the agent processes. Once the untrusted input reaches exec_shell_interact, it can be executed directly in an interactive shell such as python, mysql, ssh, or sudo, thereby enabling privilege escalation within the scope of that process.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 18, 2026 at 16:55 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade CodeWhale to version 0.8.64 or later to apply the vendor patch that fixes the privilege escalation flaw.
  • If an upgrade is infeasible, disable or remove the exec_shell_interact tool or configure it to require explicit approval so that interactive shells no longer accept untrusted LLM input without prompting.
  • Limit the content that the agent ingests to trusted sources, and implement validation or sanitization on external content before it is processed by the LLM to prevent injection of malicious instructions.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 18, 2026 at 16:55 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-g29h-pfmp-qp9r CodeWhale: exec_shell_interact sends LLM-controlled input to a running shell without an approval prompt (privilege escalation)
History

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Hmbown
Hmbown codewhale
Vendors & Products Hmbown
Hmbown codewhale

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description CodeWhale versions >= 0.8.41 and < 0.8.64 contain a vulnerability in the exec_shell_interact (alias exec_interact) tool, whose approval_requirement returns ApprovalRequirement::Auto. This overrides the default Required approval for code-executing tools, so LLM-controlled stdin is written into an already-approved long-running interactive shell (e.g., a python3 -i REPL, mysql, ssh, or sudo -i session) without any approval prompt. An attacker who can inject instructions via untrusted content the agent ingests (a fetched page, MCP result, or repo file) can cause commands to run at the privilege level of that approved process. Fixed in 0.8.64.
Title CodeWhale before 0.8.64 Privilege Escalation via exec_shell_interact
Weaknesses CWE-269
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Subscriptions

Hmbown Codewhale
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-19T14:37:45.230Z

Reserved: 2026-08-18T11:03:08.682Z

Link: CVE-2026-75857

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-19T14:37:34.675Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-18T16:18:21.520

Modified: 2026-08-19T15:18:09.180

Link: CVE-2026-75857

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-18T17:30:15Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-269

    Improper Privilege Management