guardrails: Embedded Malicious Code
CVE-2026-45758 is a critical-severity embedded malicious code vulnerability in guardrails from Guardrails AI, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected guardrails versions: = 0.10.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of guardrails you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guardrails-ai | guardrails | = 0.10.1 | Not stated |
| Guardrailsai | Guardrails Ai | 0.10.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Guardrails AI is a Python framework that helps build AI applications. On May 11, 2026 at approximately 6:00 PM Pacific, an attacker published a malicious version of `guardrails-ai` (0.10.1) to PyPI. Aany user who installed `guardrails-ai==0.10.1` from PyPI on May 11, 2026 may be affected. Security researchers identified the malicious package within approximately 2 hours of publication, and PyPI quarantined the repository. Based on our telemetry, Guardrails AI maintainers have observed no requests to Guardrails AI infrastructure originating from the malicious 0.10.1 version, and a review of system and access logs has produced no evidence of user data exfiltration through their systems. Users should upgrade to version 0.10.2 or downgrade to version 0.10.0, both of which are unaffected. Those who installed version 0.10.1 should rotate any credentials accessible from their machine (GitHub PATs, cloud provider keys, package registry tokens, API keys) and audit their GitHub account for unauthorized workflows or repositories.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Embedded Malicious Code
The product contains code that appears to be malicious in nature.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Remove the malicious code and start an effort to ensure that no more malicious code exists. This may require a detailed review of all code, as it is possible to hide a serious attack in only one or two lines of code. These lines may be located almost anywhere in an application and may have been intentionally obfuscated by the attacker.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
- github.com/guardrails-ai/guardrails/issues/1473Issue Tracking
Other vulnerabilities in guardrails
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Embedded Malicious Code vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
Nx Console Embedded Malicious Code Exploited
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
TanStack Unspecified Exploited
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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