CVE-2026-73081
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Activepieces is an open source AI workflow automation platform. Prior to 0.80.0, the worker's code-compilation pipeline builds the on-disk path for a Code step from the step's name and passes that path to a shell-invoked build command. A step name containing shell metacharacters can break out of the intended build invocation and execute arbitrary commands during compilation before any code sandbox is created. An authenticated user with permission to create or edit a flow can execute commands as the worker process user, read and write the worker filesystem, exfiltrate environment secrets, and reach internal services available to the worker. This issue is fixed in version 0.80.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability exists within Activepieces, an open source AI workflow automation platform, where a critical command injection flaw was present in versions prior to 0.80.0. The vulnerability stems from how the worker's code-compilation pipeline constructs file paths for Code steps by directly incorporating user-provided step names into shell commands without proper sanitization or validation. When an authenticated user creates or modifies a flow containing a Code step with maliciously crafted step name, the system fails to properly escape shell metacharacters, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution context of the build command.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where user input flows directly into a shell invocation without adequate sanitization. The step name parameter is used to construct an on-disk path that then gets passed to a shell command for building code artifacts. This design creates a direct pathway for arbitrary command execution during the compilation phase before any sandboxing mechanisms are engaged, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a level below traditional code isolation. The vulnerability specifically targets the worker process execution context, which typically runs with elevated privileges compared to regular user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, providing attackers with extensive system access capabilities. An authenticated user with flow creation or editing permissions can execute arbitrary commands as the worker process user, effectively gaining control over the worker's filesystem and potentially accessing sensitive environment variables containing secrets. This allows for data exfiltration, file system manipulation, and access to internal services that the worker process can reach, creating a potential lateral movement vector within the infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially provides a privilege escalation path from authenticated user access to system-level command execution.
The fix implemented in version 0.80.0 addresses this issue through proper input sanitization and validation of step names before they are used in shell operations. This aligns with security best practices outlined in CWE 78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The remediation likely involves implementing proper shell escaping mechanisms or adopting safer execution patterns that avoid direct shell command construction from user input. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 0.80.0 or later to mitigate this risk, while also considering additional controls such as network segmentation and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns within the worker environment.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in automated systems, particularly those handling user-provided code or configuration parameters. The attack surface expands significantly when user input flows into system-level operations without proper sanitization, creating pathways for attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive resources. Security practitioners should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging around shell command execution within automation platforms, as this type of vulnerability can often be detected through anomalous process creation or file system access patterns. The issue also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices from the ATT&CK framework's perspective, particularly in preventing privilege escalation through command injection vulnerabilities that can bypass traditional code sandboxing mechanisms.