dokku: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code
CVE-2026-86002 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of directives in dynamically evaluated code vulnerability in dokku, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected dokku versions: < 0.38.25. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.56% 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 dokku 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.
- 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
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Dokku is a docker-powered platform as a service. In Dokku versions before 0.38.25, a user with app-level Dokku access and remote SSH access to execute docker-options commands can store arbitrary strings through the docker-options plugin, and those strings are later concatenated into DOCKER_ARGS and processed by Bash eval during build, deploy, or run operations. Shell command substitutions in the stored values are interpreted on the host, allowing arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the dokku operating-system user. This issue is fixed in version 0.38.25.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code
The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before using the input in a dynamic evaluation call (e.g. eval).
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If possible, refactor your code so that it does not need to use eval() at all.
- For Python programs, it is frequently encouraged to use the ast.literal_eval() function instead of eval, since it is intentionally designed to avoid executing code. However, an adversary could still cause excessive memory or stack consumption via deeply nested structures, so the python documentation discourages use of ast.literal_eval() on untrusted data.
More Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code vulnerabilities (CWE-95)
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
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in dokku
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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