VowpalWabbit vowpal_wabbit python_checks.yml os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in VowpalWabbit vowpal_wabbit and classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file github/workflows/python_checks.yml. Performing a manipulation results in os command injection. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-44723. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in VowpalWabbit vowpal_wabbit (the affected version unknown). This affects an unknown part of the file github/workflows/python_checks.yml. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Vowpal Wabbit is a machine learning system. The workflow .github/workflows/python_checks.yml embeds ${{ github.event.pull_request.title }} directly inside double-quoted bash strings in four separate steps across four jobs, each passing it as a CLI argument to the Python test script run_tests_model_gen_and_load.py. The shell interprets the expanded string before invoking Python, allowing an attacker to break out of the quotes and execute arbitrary commands on the runner. The pull_request trigger fires on PRs targeting any branch (branches: ['*']), with no additional access gate. This vulnerability is fixed by the 998e390e80a7e8192d7849b7784bc113dbd190ad commit.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-44723 since 05/07/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1202 for this issue.

Applying the patch 998e390e80a7e8192d7849b7784bc113dbd190ad is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• VowpalWabbit

Name

• vowpal_wabbit

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/VowpalWabbit/vowpal_wabbit/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion