CVE-2026-79724 in Langflow OSS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2026
IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.11.5 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM Langflow versions 1.0.0 through 1.11.5 represents a critical security flaw rooted in the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before its inclusion in operating system commands. This class of defect, commonly referred to as OS Command Injection or command injection, occurs when an application constructs shell commands using data provided by external sources without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. In the context of Langflow, a platform designed for building and managing large language model applications, such input might originate from user-defined workflows, prompt configurations, or integration parameters that are subsequently passed to underlying system utilities. The core technical failure lies in the improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, allowing an attacker to inject malicious syntax that alters the intended logic of the executed shell instruction.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability exploits the way operating systems interpret command strings. When input is not strictly validated against a whitelist of expected characters or patterns, attackers can utilize metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, pipes, and backticks to terminate the original command and append new ones. For instance, if a function accepts a filename parameter from a user and passes it directly to a system call like os.system() in Python without sanitization, an attacker could provide input that includes additional commands separated by logical operators. This allows the execution of arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the application process. The severity is compounded by the fact that Langflow often runs as part of larger data processing pipelines where it may have access to sensitive files or network resources, thereby increasing the potential blast radius of a successful exploitation attempt.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. A remote attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can achieve arbitrary code execution on the host system running Langflow. This capability effectively results in a complete compromise of the affected environment. The attacker may escalate privileges, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data processed by the LLM applications, or use the compromised server as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network infrastructure. Given that Langflow is often deployed in cloud environments or containerized setups, this vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement if proper isolation measures are not enforced between containers or virtual machines. The ability to execute commands remotely means that no physical access or prior authentication beyond what is required to interact with the application interface is necessary, making it a high-risk vector for automated attacks and widespread compromise.
This flaw aligns directly with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-78, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. It also maps to several techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use command-line interfaces or scripting languages to execute malicious payloads. Additionally, depending on how the input is obtained, it may relate to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation if the application fails to restrict inputs to expected formats. The lack of strict output encoding or parameterization in system calls is a fundamental anti-pattern that security best practices strongly advise against.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must immediately upgrade IBM Langflow to version 1.12.0 or later, where these input validation and sanitization issues have been addressed by the vendor. In environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, temporary mitigations should include implementing strict allow-listing for all user inputs that interact with system commands, ensuring that only alphanumeric characters and specific safe symbols are permitted. Utilizing parameterized APIs instead of string concatenation when invoking operating system functions can also prevent injection attacks. Furthermore, deploying the application in a restricted environment with minimal privileges, such as using non-root users or container security profiles like AppArmor or SELinux, can limit the impact if an exploitation attempt occurs. Regular vulnerability scanning and code reviews focusing on external command execution patterns are essential for maintaining long-term security posture against this class of threats.