CVE-2026-32948 in sbt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2026
sbt is a build tool for Scala, Java, and others. From version 0.9.5 to before version 1.12.7, on Windows, sbt uses Process("cmd", "/c", ...) to run VCS commands (git, hg, svn). The URI fragment (branch, tag, revision) is user-controlled via the build definition and passed to these commands without validation. Because cmd /c interprets &, |, and ; as command separators, a malicious fragment can execute arbitrary commands. This issue has been patched in version 1.12.7.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2026-32948 represents a critical command injection flaw in the sbt build tool affecting versions 0.9.5 through 1.12.6 on Windows systems. This issue stems from the tool's improper handling of version control system commands where user-defined URI fragments containing branch names, tags, or revision identifiers are directly passed to Windows command-line processes without adequate input validation. The root cause lies in sbt's implementation of Process("cmd", "/c", ...) which executes VCS commands through the Windows command interpreter, creating a dangerous attack surface where maliciously crafted URI fragments can be exploited to execute arbitrary commands on the system.
The technical exploitation occurs through Windows command shell interpretation of special characters including ampersand &, pipe |, and semicolon ; which serve as command separators in the cmd.exe environment. When a user-controlled URI fragment contains these characters, they are interpreted by the command shell as delimiters for executing additional commands, enabling attackers to chain malicious operations beyond the intended VCS command. This vulnerability maps to CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into command execution contexts without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate build tool functionality to execute unauthorized operations, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable full system compromise when attackers manipulate build definitions to include malicious URI fragments. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access through the build environment, especially in continuous integration pipelines where sbt is frequently used. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of software development processes, potentially allowing adversaries to inject malicious code into builds or manipulate the build environment to execute unauthorized operations. The issue particularly impacts organizations using sbt in automated build systems where build definitions may be influenced by external inputs or untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 1.12.7 which resolves the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of URI fragments before command execution. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers including build definition parsing, command parameter sanitization, and environment restrictions. Security controls should include monitoring for unusual command execution patterns in build environments and implementing least-privilege principles for build processes. The fix addresses the underlying ATT&CK technique T1059.001 by preventing command injection through proper input validation and sanitization. Additional defensive measures include restricting the ability to pass user-controlled data directly to command execution contexts, implementing proper escaping mechanisms for special shell characters, and conducting regular security reviews of build tool configurations to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in other components of the software supply chain.