Weakness (CWE)
CWE-78: OS Command Injection
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 before it is sent to a downstream component.
How to prevent it (8 mitigations)
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Architecture and Design
If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
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Architecture and Design, Operation
Run the code in a "jail" or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which files can be accessed in a particular directory or which commands can be executed by the software.
OS-level examples include the Unix chroot jail, AppArmor, and SELinux. In general, managed code may provide some protection. For example, java.io.FilePermission in the Java SecurityManager allows the software to specify restrictions on file operations.
This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of the application may still be subject to compromise.
Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
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Architecture and Design
For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
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Architecture and Design
For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
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Architecture and Design
Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
For example, consider using the ESAPI Encoding control [REF-45] or a similar tool, library, or framework. These will help the programmer encode outputs in a manner less prone to error.
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Implementation
While it is risky to use dynamically-generated query strings, code, or commands that mix control and data together, sometimes it may be unavoidable. Properly quote arguments and escape any special characters within those arguments. The most conservative approach is to escape or filter all characters that do not pass an extremely strict allowlist (such as everything that is not alphanumeric or white space). If some special characters are still needed, such as white space, wrap each argument in quotes after the escaping/filtering step. Be careful of argument injection (CWE-88).
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Implementation
If the program to be executed allows arguments to be specified within an input file or from standard input, then consider using that mode to pass arguments instead of the command line.
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Architecture and Design
If available, use structured mechanisms that automatically enforce the separation between data and code. These mechanisms may be able to provide the relevant quoting, encoding, and validation automatically, instead of relying on the developer to provide this capability at every point where output is generated.
Some languages offer multiple functions that can be used to invoke commands. Where possible, identify any function that invokes a command shell using a single string, and replace it with a function that requires individual arguments. These functions typically perform appropriate quoting and filtering of arguments. For example, in C, the system() function accepts a string that contains the entire command to be executed, whereas execl(), execve(), and others require an array of strings, one for each argument. In Windows, CreateProcess() only accepts one command at a time. In Perl, if system() is provided with an array of arguments, then it will quote each of the arguments.
Source: MITRE CWE-78
5,327 results · Feed
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High 8.8
Apache CloudStack: RCE and SSRF in direct download, metalink and NFS templates
SSRF via Metalink Mirror URL Resolution: An authenticated tenant can register a template pointing to an attacker-controlled metalink file containing internal targets. The Secondary Storage VM will retrieve the data and persist it as a template file, which can…
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Critical 9.4
Datiphy Data Management Center - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
OS command injection in the api endpoint of Datiphy Data Management Center from v8.3.0 through v8.5.1 allows an authenticated administrator to execute arbitrary operating system commands as root.
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Critical 9.9
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 8.4
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 7.2
OTRS Community Edition OS Command Injection via PGP Configuration
OTRS Community Edition contains an authenticated OS command injection vulnerability in the PGP encryption module that allows administrators to execute arbitrary operating-system commands by supplying crafted values for the PGP binary path and command options.…
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Critical 9.3CVE-2026-19586 Public exploit
Pre-Authentication OS Command Injection in Omada Gateways on OpenVPN Server in Omada Gateways
A pre-authentication OS command injection vulnerability has been identified in Omada gateways configured to operate as an OpenVPN Server due to insufficient validation of client-supplied data during OpenVPN connection establishment. An unauthenticated remote …
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High 7.8
Sony XAV-9500ES Crash Dump Handler Command Injection Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Sony XAV-9500ES Crash Dump Handler Command Injection Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Sony XAV-9500ES devices. An attacker must first obtain the ability to …
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Medium 6.8
Kenwood DNR1007XR startUpdateProcess Command Injection Vulnerability
Kenwood DNR1007XR startUpdateProcess Command Injection Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kenwood DNR1007XR devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulne…
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High 7.0
Kenwood DNR1007XR JKGenService Command Injection Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Kenwood DNR1007XR JKGenService Command Injection Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Kenwood DNR1007XR devices. An attacker must first obtain the ability to ex…
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High 8.8
NoMachine getstat Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
NoMachine getstat Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NoMachine. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw e…
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High 8.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper validation of the ODMDIR environment variable.
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High 7.8
accountsservice: shell injection via attacker-controlled ~/.pam_environment in Ubuntu language helper scripts
The Ubuntu-specific language helper scripts (save-to-pam-env, update-langlist) shipped with accountsservice before 23.13.9-8ubuntu7 treat the user-controlled LANGUAGE entry in ~/.pam_environment as trusted input. The value is interpolated unescaped into a GNU…
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Critical 9.8
CVE-2026-18482
Neo.mjs contains a command injection vulnerability within the FileSystemService.mjs component of the ai/mcp/server/file-system MCP server, where the checkSyntax() and runPlaywrightTest() functions unsafely interpolate caller-controlled absolutePath values int…
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High 7.7
n8n before 1.123.69 Remote Code Execution via Git Node Configuration Values
n8n before 1.123.69 (and 2.x before 2.33.4 / 2.34.1) contains a code execution vulnerability in the Git node. The Git node executed certain repository-local git configuration values without neutralizing them, so any subsequent Git node operation against a rep…
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High 8.7
n8n before 1.123.69 Arbitrary File Read and Write via Snowflake
n8n before 1.123.69, 2.x before 2.33.4, and 2.34.x before 2.34.1 contain an arbitrary file read and write vulnerability in the Snowflake node, which passes free-form Execute Query input, including client-side commands, directly to the Snowflake SDK without ap…
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High 7.3
chenhg5 cc-connect Management API engine.go shellExecCommand os command injection
A vulnerability was identified in chenhg5 cc-connect up to 1.4.1. This affects the function shellExecCommand of the file core/engine.go of the component Management API. Such manipulation of the argument exec leads to os command injection. It is possible to la…
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High 8.5CVE-2026-75616 Public exploit
Command Injection in Router Web Management Interface
An OS command injection vulnerability exists in the web management interface of Archer C20 v6 firmware when processing certain WAN-related configuration operations. An authenticated administrator may exploit insufficient input validation to execute arbitrary …
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Critical 9.8
Termix: Remote Code Execution via Tunnel Disconnect pkill Command Injection
Termix is a web-based server management platform with SSH terminal, tunneling, and file editing capabilities. Prior to 2.3.2, the DELETE /ssh/tunnel/disconnect/:tunnelName teardown path in src/backend/ssh/tunnel.ts interpolates endpointPort, sourcePort, endpo…
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High 8.8
Termix: Tar option injection in file-manager archive creation allows command execution on managed SSH hosts
Termix is a web-based server management platform with SSH terminal, tunneling, and file editing capabilities. Prior to 2.3.2, the archive creation endpoint in src/backend/ssh/file-manager.ts passes selected file basenames to tar without an end-of-options mark…
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Critical 9.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 7.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to shell metacharacter injection.
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High 8.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to command injection.
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High 8.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of shell metacharacters in DHCP options.
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High 8.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 8.8
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 7.7
Wekan:hell Injection in External Antivirus Scanner Path via asyncExec
Wekan is open source kanban built with Meteor. Prior to 9.75, models/fileValidation.js interpolated the uploaded fileObj.path into the administrator-configured externalCommandLine at its {file} placeholder and executed the result through asyncExec, which is p…
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Critical 9.9
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 7.2
Dell RecoverPoint for VMs, versions 6.0.3 and 6.0.3.1, contains an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in …
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Critical 9.9
Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 NIM could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
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High 8.8
electerm: Command Injection in File System Operations (rmrf, mv, cp)
electerm is an open-sourced terminal/ssh/sftp/telnet/serialport/RDP/VNC/Spice/ftp client. Prior to 3.11.11, electerm constructs operating system commands in src/app/lib/fs.js by interpolating untrusted file paths into the rmrf(), mv(), and cp() functions. A m…
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High 8.8
Cudy WR3000 2.0 OS Command Injection via Mesh MQTT Command Handler
Cudy WR3000 2.0 running firmware before 2.5.24 contains an OS command injection vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges by sending unsanitized input through the mesh MQTT command interface. The s…
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Medium 6.7
Renovate before 42.68.5 Remote Code Execution via Gradle Wrapper
Renovate versions >=32.124.0 and before 42.68.5 (and Mend renovate-ce/renovate-ee before 13.3.0) contain a command injection vulnerability in Gradle Wrapper artifact handling. When Renovate processes Gradle Wrapper updates, it invokes a wrapper update command…
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Medium 6.3
Renovate 43.65.0 before 43.102.11 Remote Code Execution via lockFileMaintenance
Renovate versions from 43.65.0 before 43.102.11 contain a remote code execution vulnerability in bazel-module and bazelisk managers when using lockFileMaintenance. Attackers can execute arbitrary code by providing malicious dependencies that are referenced in…
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Medium 6.7
Renovate 37.158.0 before 37.199.0 Command Injection via helmv3
Renovate versions 37.158.0 before 37.199.0 contain a command injection vulnerability in the helmv3 manager's registryAliases handling that allows attackers with commit access to execute arbitrary commands. Attackers can manipulate registryAliases keys with un…
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High 8.8
Dell OpenManage Enterprise, versions prior to 4.7.0, contains an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an…
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High 7.2
Dell OpenManage Enterprise, versions prior to 4.7.0, contains an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an…
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Medium 5.1
Shell Command Injection in nnn
nnn does not sanitize the filename variable. An attacker can place a file with a crafted name on a shared filesystem, removable media, or inside an extracted archive whose name contains a single quote followed by shell syntax. If the victim navigates to that …
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Medium 5.1
Shell Command Injection in nnn
nnn does not sanitize the path variable. An attacker can create a directory on a shared filesystem, removable media, or inside an extracted archive whose name contains a single quote followed by shell syntax. If the victim enters that directory in nnn and use…
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High 8.8
Streambert: Arbitrary File Execution via VLC/mpv Launcher Fallback
Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download video content. Prior to version 2.6.0, the open-path-at-time IPC handler in src/ipc/player.js accepts a renderer-controlled filePath without validating its type or location. If the mpv…
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High 7.8
linuxfabrik-lib: Local privilege escalation using embedded command
linuxfabrik-lib provides Python modules for database access, caching, shell execution, and API integrations, and Linuxfabrik Monitoring Plugins uses those modules to run external monitoring commands. From the earliest affected releases until linuxfabrik-lib 5…