CVE-2026-37007 in CrewAI
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2026
A vulnerability in FileWriterTool in crewai-tools <= 1.10.2rc1 allows a remote attacker to achieve code execution via malicious path traversal sequences in the filename argument.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the FileWriterTool component of the CrewAI tools library, specifically affecting versions up through and including 1.10.2rc1. This vulnerability stems from an improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands or file paths, commonly known as path traversal. The core technical issue arises when the tool processes a filename argument provided by a user without adequately sanitizing input sequences that indicate directory navigation outside the intended scope. By injecting maliciously crafted strings containing dot-dot-slash sequences into the filename parameter, an attacker can manipulate the underlying file system operations to write data to arbitrary locations on the host machine rather than within the designated output directory. This lack of strict validation allows the application to resolve relative paths in a manner that bypasses security boundaries established by the developer or administrator during configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk as it directly facilitates remote code execution under specific conditions. If the FileWriterTool is integrated into an automated workflow where untrusted data can influence file creation operations, such as processing user-generated content or integrating with external APIs that supply filenames, an attacker could exploit this flaw to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious scripts into executable directories, or create symbolic links pointing to sensitive configuration files. The ability to write arbitrary files enables further exploitation stages, including privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions, persistence through scheduled tasks or startup scripts, and lateral movement within a networked environment by placing backdoors in accessible locations. This transforms what might appear as a simple file writing function into a powerful vector for full system compromise.
The vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-22, which describes Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, also known as path traversal. In the context of modern attack frameworks, this flaw supports techniques categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0004, Privilege Escalation, and specifically aligns with technique T1553, Subvert Trust Controls, when used to place malicious files in trusted directories like startup folders or system paths. It also relates to TA0002 Execution if the written content is subsequently executed by another process or user action triggered by the attacker. The severity of this issue is heightened because it involves remote exploitation potential, meaning that no local access or physical presence on the target machine is required for an adversary to initiate the attack sequence via networked services exposing the CrewAI application interface.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and defensive coding practices. The primary solution is to upgrade the crewai-tools package to a version greater than 1.10.2rc1, where developers have presumably implemented proper input validation and path normalization mechanisms to restrict file operations strictly within allowed directories. For environments unable to update immediately due to dependency constraints or testing requirements, temporary mitigations should include implementing strict allow-listing of permitted characters in filename inputs at the application layer before they reach the FileWriterTool. Additionally, deploying runtime protection solutions such as host-based intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file write operations outside expected directories can provide an additional layer of defense. Developers integrating this tool into larger applications must also ensure that any user-supplied data used to construct filenames is rigorously sanitized using standard library functions designed to resolve and validate absolute paths, ensuring they remain within the intended sandbox or working directory boundaries.