PraisonAI: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2026-61437 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in PraisonAI from MervinPraison, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 1.6.78 as the first without the flaw, so updating PraisonAI to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update PraisonAI to 1.6.78 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MervinPraison | PraisonAI | before 1.6.78 | 1.6.78 |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- 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
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
PraisonAI (pip package praisonaiagents) before 1.6.78 contains an unsafe dynamic module loading vulnerability in AgentFlow._resolve_pydantic_class (src/praisonai-agents/praisonaiagents/workflows/workflows.py). When a workflow step uses a string output_pydantic reference, the framework locates and imports a sibling tools.py from the workflow file's directory via importlib exec_module without sandboxing, ignoring the PRAISONAI_ALLOW_*_TOOLS environment variables. An attacker who controls a workflow file and its sibling tools.py can execute arbitrary Python code with the workflow runner's privileges when the workflow is executed via WorkflowManager or after load_yaml.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in PraisonAI
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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