CVE-2026-41206
PySpector plugin validator bypass allows arbitrary code execution.
- CVSS 6.9
- CWE-184
- Input Validation and Sanitization
- Local
PySpector is a static analysis security testing (SAST) Framework engineered for modern Python development workflows. The plugin security validator in PySpector uses AST-based static analysis to prevent dangerous code from being loaded as plugins. Prior to version 0.1.8, the blocklist implemented in `PluginSecurity.validate_plugin_code` is incomplete and can be bypassed using several Python constructs that are not checked. An attacker who can supply a plugin file can achieve arbitrary code execution within the PySpector process when that plugin is installed and executed. Version 0.1.8 fixes the issue.
- CWE
- CWE-184
- CVSS base score
- 6.9
- Published
- 2026-04-23
- OWASP
- A08 Software and Data Integrity Failures
- Orthogonal defect classification
- Checking
- Code defect classification
- Missing Check
- Category
- Input Validation and Sanitization
- Subcategory
- Poorly Designed Access Controls
- Accessibility scope
- Local
- Impact
- Arbitrary Code Execution
- Affected component
- PySpector
- Fixed by upgrading
- Yes
Solution
Upgrade PySpector to version 0.1.8 or later.
Vulnerable code sample
import ast
class PluginSecurity:
def validate_plugin_code(self, code: str):
"""
Validates plugin code by checking for disallowed AST nodes.
This vulnerable implementation only checks for direct import statements
and can be bypassed.
"""
tree = ast.parse(code)
for node in ast.walk(tree):
if isinstance(node, (ast.Import, ast.ImportFrom)):
raise ValueError("Security violation: Direct imports are disallowed.")
# The check is incomplete. A payload like "__import__('os').system('id')"
# would not be caught, as it doesn't use an Import or ImportFrom node.
return TruePatched code sample
import ast
class PluginSecurity:
"""
A mock representation of the fixed PluginSecurity class.
The vulnerability was an incomplete blocklist. The fix involves
adding checks for bypass techniques.
"""
# In a real scenario, this would be more exhaustive.
# The vulnerability was that this list was incomplete.
BLOCKED_NODE_TYPES = (
ast.Import,
ast.ImportFrom,
)
# THE FIX: The vulnerable version was missing a check for dangerous
# function calls, which allowed bypasses. This new blocklist is added.
BLOCKED_CALL_NAMES = {
'__import__',
'eval',
'exec',
'open',
'compile',
'execfile',
'input',
}
def validate_plugin_code(self, code_string: str):
"""
Validates plugin code using an AST traversal.
This 'fixed' version now checks for specific dangerous function calls
in addition to blocking import statements.
"""
try:
tree = ast.parse(code_string, filename="<plugin>")
except SyntaxError as e:
raise ValueError(f"Plugin code is not valid Python: {e}")
for node in ast.walk(tree):
# Original check: Block 'import' and 'from ... import'
if isinstance(node, self.BLOCKED_NODE_TYPES):
raise ValueError(
f"Disallowed construct '{type(node).__name__}' found on line {getattr(node, 'lineno', '?')}."
)
# THE FIX: Add a new check for dangerous function calls.
# This prevents bypasses like `__import__('os').system('rm -rf /')`
# which would not be caught by the node type check alone.
if isinstance(node, ast.Call):
# Check for calls by simple name, e.g., `eval(...)`
if isinstance(node.func, ast.Name) and node.func.id in self.BLOCKED_CALL_NAMES:
raise ValueError(
f"Disallowed call to function '{node.func.id}' found on line {node.lineno}."
)
# Check for calls on an attribute, e.g., `os.system(...)`
# A robust check would require tracking variable assignments.
# For this example, we block common dangerous attributes.
if isinstance(node.func, ast.Attribute) and node.func.attr in ('system', 'popen', 'spawn', 'run'):
raise ValueError(
f"Disallowed attribute call '{node.func.attr}' found on line {node.lineno}."
)
return TruePayload
__import__('os').system('touch /tmp/pwned')
Cite this entry
@misc{vaitp:cve202641206,
title = {{PySpector plugin validator bypass allows arbitrary code execution.}},
author = {Bogaerts, Fr\'ed\'eric and Ivaki, Naghmeh and Fonseca, Jos\'e},
year = {2026},
note = {VAITP Python Vulnerability Dataset, entry CVE-2026-41206},
howpublished = {\url{https://netpack.pt/vaitp/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41206/}}
}
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