CVE-2026-82244 in Budibase
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2026
Budibase versions before 3.41.3 contain a remote code execution vulnerability in plugin handling that allows authenticated admin users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a malicious plugin tarball. The server calls eval() on plugin JavaScript files without sandboxing in the main Node.js process, enabling attackers to exfiltrate environment variables and credentials with root privileges in default deployments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2026
The vulnerability identified in Budibase versions prior to 3.41.3 represents a critical remote code execution flaw rooted in insecure plugin handling mechanisms within the application's architecture. This specific weakness allows authenticated administrators, who possess elevated privileges by design, to bypass intended security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server infrastructure. The core of the issue lies in how the platform processes user-uploaded plugins, specifically when these are submitted as tarball archives containing JavaScript files. Instead of isolating or sandboxing this code execution environment, the application directly invokes the Node.js eval function to interpret and run the plugin scripts within the main process context. This design choice fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege and fails to provide necessary isolation between user-supplied logic and the core application runtime.
From a technical perspective, the absence of sandboxing is the primary driver for this high-severity vulnerability. By executing JavaScript code directly in the main Node.js process without restrictions such as vm2 or similar containment strategies, the platform grants any code loaded via plugins full access to the operating system environment and internal application state. This means that an attacker with administrative credentials can craft a malicious plugin tarball containing scripts designed to interact with sensitive resources. The ability to call eval on unsanitized input effectively neutralizes standard web application security boundaries, as the executed code operates with the same permissions as the Budibase service itself. In default deployment configurations where the service often runs with elevated privileges or root access, this capability becomes particularly dangerous, allowing for complete system compromise rather than just data theft within the application scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, extending beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full control over the hosting environment. An attacker leveraging this flaw can exfiltrate critical environment variables, database credentials, API keys, and other secrets stored in the server's memory or accessible via standard file system paths. This level of access facilitates lateral movement within a network infrastructure if Budibase is deployed alongside other sensitive services. Furthermore, because the execution occurs with root privileges in many default setups, the attacker can modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, or pivot to attack adjacent systems that trust credentials found on this host. The risk is amplified by the fact that plugin uploads are typically permitted for admin users, meaning any compromise of an administrative account immediately translates into server-level control without requiring additional privilege escalation steps.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code and CWE-78 OS Command Injection in its broader implications, as it involves the execution of untrusted code within a privileged context. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Execution via User or Application Layer protocols and potentially Persistence through system-level modifications if the attacker chooses to maintain access. To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade Budibase to version 3.41.3 or later where these plugin handling mechanisms have been corrected with proper sandboxing implementations. Until an upgrade is feasible, administrators should restrict who has permission to upload plugins and monitor server logs for unusual process creation or network connections originating from the Node.js runtime. Additionally, running the application in a containerized environment with strict resource limits and non-root user privileges can significantly reduce the blast radius of such exploits by limiting what the compromised process can access on the host system.