CVE-2026-61434 in PraisonAI
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
PraisonAI versions before 4.6.78 contain an allowlist bypass vulnerability in shell command execution that allows attackers to execute restricted commands via find's built-in -exec, -execdir, and -delete actions. Attackers can craft find commands with these built-in actions to read blocked files, delete files, or execute non-allowlisted binaries without triggering shell metacharacter filters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
This vulnerability resides in PraisonAI versions prior to 4678 and represents a critical allowlist bypass flaw within the application's shell command execution mechanism. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system handles file search operations using the find command with its built-in actions, creating a path for unauthorized command execution that circumvents existing security controls. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of find command parameters, particularly when utilizing the -exec, -execdir, and -delete options which are inherently powerful shell execution mechanisms within the find utility.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass security restrictions that should prevent execution of certain commands or access to specific files. When an attacker crafts a malicious find command using these built-in actions, they can effectively execute arbitrary commands on the system without triggering traditional shell metacharacter filters that would normally detect and block such attempts. This creates a scenario where blocked files can be read, files can be deleted, or non-allowlisted binaries can be executed, all while appearing to follow legitimate system operations through the use of find's native capabilities.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of command injection through indirect execution paths. The flaw operates at the intersection of improper input validation and over-reliance on shell-based security controls that fail to account for the full functionality available within common Unix utilities like find. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under technique T1059.004 for abuse of shell commands, while CWE classification would likely fall under CWE-78 or CWE-88 depending on the specific implementation details of how command construction occurs.
The mitigation strategy should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation that examines not just the direct command being executed but also any arguments passed to find's built-in actions. Security controls must be enhanced to prevent the use of -exec, -execdir, and -delete options within shell command execution contexts, or alternatively implement strict parameter sanitization that removes dangerous combinations before execution. Organizations should also consider moving away from shell-based command execution where possible and instead use more secure programmatic approaches for file operations. Additionally, regular security auditing of all shell command invocations and implementation of principle of least privilege controls around find utility usage would significantly reduce the attack surface exposed by this vulnerability.
This vulnerability type highlights the importance of understanding that seemingly benign system utilities can become dangerous when used in improper contexts. The find command's built-in actions represent powerful execution capabilities that are often overlooked during security assessments, particularly when they're used within applications that attempt to provide restricted shell access. The bypass occurs because traditional filtering mechanisms are designed to detect direct shell metacharacter usage rather than recognizing that find's native actions can accomplish the same goals through different pathways. This creates a false sense of security where administrators believe their systems are protected against command injection attacks simply because they have implemented basic shell character filtering, when in fact more sophisticated attack vectors remain available through legitimate system utilities.