CVE-2026-97674 in Langflow OSS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.12.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command ('Code Injection'), aka improper control of code generation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM Langflow versions 1.0.0 through 1.12.2 represents a critical security flaw classified as Code Injection, specifically falling under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-94 for Improper Control of Generation of Code or CGI. This weakness arises from an application's failure to properly neutralize special elements that could be interpreted by an operating system during command execution. In this context, Langflow is designed as a low-code platform for building machine learning workflows and applications using large language models. The architecture allows users to define complex logic through visual interfaces or code snippets, which are then executed within the backend environment. When the application processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation before passing it to system-level commands, it creates an avenue for remote authenticated attackers to inject malicious payloads directly into the command string.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for Remote Code Execution (RCE). An attacker who has obtained valid authentication credentials can exploit this flaw by crafting specific inputs that contain shell metacharacters or other control sequences. These inputs are not properly escaped or validated, allowing them to break out of the intended context and execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the application process. This capability effectively grants the attacker full administrative access to the underlying infrastructure hosting Langflow. The consequences extend beyond simple data exposure; attackers can install backdoors, pivot to other systems within the network, exfiltrate sensitive machine learning models or training data, and disrupt service availability by modifying system configurations or terminating critical processes.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically sub-techniques involving shell commands such as sh or bash. The attack vector leverages the application's own functionality against itself, turning legitimate code generation features into weapons for exploitation. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Langflow might be integrated with other data pipelines or deployed on servers containing sensitive intellectual property related to AI development. The presence of authentication requirements limits the scope to authenticated users but does not mitigate the severity given that insider threats or compromised credentials are common vectors for initial access in modern cyber operations.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and architectural hardening. The primary recommendation is to upgrade IBM Langflow to a version later than 1.12.2, where this issue has been addressed by implementing stricter input validation and output encoding mechanisms. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls configured to detect and block common command injection patterns in HTTP requests directed at the Langflow endpoints. Additionally, restricting file system permissions for the user account running the Langflow service can limit the blast radius of any successful exploitation attempt by preventing access to critical system directories or sensitive files. Regular security audits focusing on input handling logic within custom nodes or scripts added via the platform are also essential to prevent similar weaknesses from being introduced in future development cycles.