CodeWhale: External Control of File Name or Path
CVE-2026-75913 is a critical-severity external control of file name or path vulnerability in CodeWhale from Hmbown, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3 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. The record lists versions 0.8.41, 0.8.64 as the first without the flaw, so updating CodeWhale to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.48% 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
- Update CodeWhale to 0.8.41 or 0.8.64, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hmbown | CodeWhale | 0.3.27 through 0.8.41; 0.3.27 up to, but not including, 0.8.41; 0.8.41 up to, but not including, 0.8.64 | 0.8.41, 0.8.64 |
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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- 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:N/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 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
CodeWhale versions >= 0.3.27 and < 0.8.64 (published as deepseek-tui >= 0.3.27 and < 0.8.41 on npm and 0.3.27 through 0.8.41 on crates.io, and as codewhale / codewhale-tui >= 0.8.41 and < 0.8.64) contain an argument injection vulnerability in the git_show tool. The model-supplied rev parameter is passed unvalidated into the git show argv without an --end-of-options sentinel, so a value beginning with --output= is interpreted as a git flag. Because the tool is registered as auto-approved and advertised as read-only, an attacker (via a malicious repository combined with prompt injection) can cause an unprompted arbitrary file write at the privilege of the invoking user, targeting sensitive files such as ~/.ssh/authorized_keys, ~/.bashrc, or ~/.gitconfig. Fixed in codewhale / codewhale-tui 0.8.64 by adding rev validation; the deprecated deepseek-tui crate has no fixed release.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: External Control of File Name or Path
The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When the set of filenames is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames, and reject all other inputs. For example, ID 1 could map to inbox.txt and ID 2 could map to profile.txt. Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap provide this capability.
- Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict all access to files within a particular directory. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
- 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.
More External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities (CWE-73)
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
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in CodeWhale
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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