CVE-2026-0765 in Open WebUI
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2026
Open WebUI PIP install_frontmatter_requirements Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Open WebUI. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the install_frontmatter_requirements function.The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the service account. Was ZDI-CAN-28258.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0765 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Open WebUI application that enables remote code execution when combined with authentication requirements. This security weakness specifically targets the install_frontmatter_requirements function, which processes user-supplied input without adequate validation mechanisms before executing system commands. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization practices that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands through the frontmatter requirements installation process. The affected system operates under the privileges of the service account, meaning successful exploitation could grant attackers full control over the application's operational environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 command injection category, where untrusted data is directly incorporated into command execution contexts without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector requires an authenticated session, suggesting that while the vulnerability is accessible to legitimate users, it could be exploited by malicious actors who gain access to valid credentials or by leveraging other authentication bypass techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic command injection pattern where user-provided parameters are concatenated directly into system command strings without proper escaping or validation. When the install_frontmatter_requirements function processes frontmatter requirements, it likely constructs shell commands using user input without implementing proper input validation or sanitization measures. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious command sequences that will be executed with the privileges of the service account running the Open WebUI application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through shell interfaces. The service account context provides a significant operational impact as it typically operates with elevated privileges necessary for system-level operations, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the environment. The vulnerability's discovery through ZDI-CAN-28258 indicates it was identified by a security research organization and subsequently published through standard vulnerability disclosure channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could leverage the service account privileges to access additional system resources, escalate their privileges further, or use the compromised system as a foothold for lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The requirement for authentication adds a layer of complexity to exploitation but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as authentication credentials could be obtained through various means including credential stuffing, phishing attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the authentication system. Organizations running affected Open WebUI installations face significant exposure to both internal and external threats, particularly in environments where service accounts have broad system access permissions. The vulnerability's nature suggests that any user with valid authentication credentials could potentially exploit this flaw, making it a critical concern for organizations with less restrictive access controls or those that do not properly monitor user activities within the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0765 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Open WebUI installations to address the command injection vulnerability within the install_frontmatter_requirements function. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all user-supplied data processing functions, particularly those involving system command execution. The implementation of proper parameter escaping and command construction techniques would prevent malicious input from being interpreted as executable commands. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for service accounts, ensuring they operate with minimal necessary permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities within the application codebase, while security training for developers should emphasize secure coding practices for command execution contexts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched implementations to ensure that the fix does not introduce new functionality issues while maintaining the application's core operational capabilities.