Vulnerability · Published Apr 14, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2026-40288PraisonAI: Critical RCE via `type: job` workflow YAML

Critical 9.8

In plain English

A critical-severity OS command injection in PraisonAI from MervinPraison. Proof-of-concept exploit code is public. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.6% (higher than 49% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)9.8Critical
Exploit odds (30 days)0.6%top 50.7% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: poc
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

PraisonAI is a multi-agent teams system. In versions below 4.5.139 of PraisonAI and 1.5.140 of praisonaiagents, the workflow engine is vulnerable to arbitrary command and code execution through untrusted YAML files. When praisonai workflow run <file.yaml> loads a YAML file with type: job, the JobWorkflowExecutor in job_workflow.py processes steps that support run: (shell commands via subprocess.run()), script: (inline Python via exec()), and python: (arbitrary Python script execution)—all without any validation, sandboxing, or user confirmation. The affected code paths include action_run() in workflow.py and _exec_shell(), _exec_inline_python(), and _exec_python_script() in job_workflow.py. An attacker who can supply or influence a workflow YAML file (particularly in CI pipelines, shared repositories, or multi-tenant deployment environments) can achieve full arbitrary command execution on the host system, compromising the machine and any accessible data or credentials. This issue has been fixed in versions 4.5.139 of PraisonAI and 1.5.140 of praisonaiagents.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
PyPIpraisonai4.5.139GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm
PyPIpraisonai4.5.139PYSEC-2026-477
PyPIpraisonaiagents1.5.140GHSA-vc46-vw85-3wvm
PyPIpraisonaiagents1.5.140PYSEC-2026-488

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
MervinPraison PraisonAI < 4.5.139
MervinPraison praisonaiagents < 1.5.140

Weakness: CWE-78, CWE-94 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References