CVE-2026-0302 in Checkov
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
An OS command injection vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Checkov by Prisma® Cloud enables a local user to execute arbitrary commands in the processes running Checkov.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in input validation and sanitization within the Palo Alto Networks Checkov component of the Prisma Cloud platform, specifically manifesting as an operating system command injection vulnerability. This type of weakness typically arises when software constructs OS commands using externally influenced inputs without sufficiently neutralizing special elements that could alter the intended command structure. In this specific instance, the flaw allows a local user to inject malicious shell metacharacters or arguments into processes running Checkov, thereby bypassing expected operational boundaries and gaining unauthorized execution capabilities within the context of those privileged services.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability likely stems from improper handling of parameters passed to underlying system utilities such as sh, bash, or other command interpreters embedded in the application logic. When user-supplied data is concatenated directly into a string that forms part of an OS command without rigorous validation against a whitelist of allowed characters or values, it creates an opportunity for code injection. An attacker exploiting this flaw could append additional commands using separators like semicolons, ampersands, or pipe symbols to execute arbitrary binaries, scripts, or system utilities on the host machine where Checkov is deployed. This bypasses application-level access controls because the injected commands are executed with the same privileges as the vulnerable process itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within a cloud-native environment. Since local users can execute arbitrary commands, they may compromise the integrity of the Checkov service, exfiltrate sensitive configuration data or security policies stored in memory or on disk, or use the compromised process as a pivot point to attack other systems connected to the same network segment. In a Prisma Cloud deployment, where automated compliance scanning and policy enforcement are critical for maintaining cloud posture management, such an intrusion could lead to the suppression of security alerts, modification of scan results, or complete disruption of continuous monitoring capabilities. This undermines the foundational trust in the platform's ability to detect and report non-compliant resources accurately.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, which categorizes flaws where software fails to neutralize special characters that could change the meaning of a command. Furthermore, from a tactical standpoint relevant to threat intelligence frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this exploit maps directly to techniques under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically sub-techniques involving shell commands or system scripts. Adversaries frequently leverage such injection points during post-exploitation phases to maintain persistence, escalate privileges, or move laterally across compromised infrastructure without triggering traditional signature-based detection mechanisms that do not inspect application-layer command construction logic.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation of the underlying code defect and broader architectural hardening. Palo Alto Networks should release a patched version of Checkov that implements strict input validation, ensuring all user-supplied data is validated against a whitelist of expected formats before being passed to any OS-level commands. Developers should avoid using shell interpreters for command execution where possible, opting instead for native API calls or library functions that do not invoke the operating system's command processor directly. If shell invocation is unavoidable, arguments must be passed as distinct array elements rather than concatenated strings to prevent interpretation of injected metacharacters. Additionally, organizations running vulnerable versions should restrict local user access to Checkov processes through robust identity and access management policies, enforce least privilege principles by running services under non-privileged accounts where feasible, and monitor system logs for anomalous command execution patterns indicative of exploitation attempts until the patch is applied.