CVE-2026-16796 in bedrock-agentcore
Summary
by MITRE • 07/24/2026
Improper neutralization of argument delimiters in the install_packages() method in AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK before 1.18.1 might allow a remote authenticated user to execute arbitrary commands within the Code Interpreter sandbox via crafted package name arguments.
To mitigate this issue, users should upgrade to the patched version 1.18.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code within the Code Interpreter sandbox environment. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the install_packages() method, which fails to properly neutralize argument delimiters in package name parameters. When users provide crafted package names containing special characters or command separators, these inputs are directly passed to underlying system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious payloads into package name arguments that contain shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks. The vulnerability exists because the SDK does not implement proper input sanitization before passing these parameters to system execution functions, creating a direct pathway for command injection attacks within the sandboxed Code Interpreter environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it compromises the security boundaries of the AWS Bedrock agent's Code Interpreter functionality. An authenticated user with access to the SDK can potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. This threat extends beyond simple code execution to include potential lateral movement within the AWS environment and data exfiltration capabilities. The sandboxed nature of Code Interpreter does not provide adequate protection against this specific class of attack due to the flawed argument handling mechanism.
Organizations utilizing the affected AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK versions prior to 1.18.1 face substantial risk exposure that requires immediate remediation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.18.1, which implements proper input validation and argument sanitization procedures. Additionally, security teams should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious package installation patterns and consider implementing additional access controls and privilege separation measures. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in cloud-based development environments where sandboxed execution contexts are expected to provide isolation but may be compromised by improper handling of user-supplied data.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires authentication within the AWS Bedrock environment, making it less accessible than fully public exploits but still dangerous for organizations with compromised credentials or insider threats. Security professionals should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through unusual package installation requests and implement comprehensive logging of all code interpreter activities to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.