CVE-2026-49986Public exploit

Local code execution via untrusted project bootstrap

Published Aug 14, 2026 · Updated Aug 14, 2026

Code inclusion in cdeust Cortex before 3.17.1 allows context-dependent attackers to execute Python code through a crafted project. The _find_dev_source() function accepts CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR after checking only two reproducible marker paths, then open_visualization runs visualize_bootstrap.py from that directory. Exploitation requires the victim to open the crafted project and invoke visualization; the script runs with the local user's privileges and can read, modify, or delete accessible data.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code inclusion in cdeust Cortex before 3.17.1 allows context-dependent attackers to execute Python code through a crafted project. The _find_dev_source() function accepts CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR after checking only two reproducible marker paths, then open_visualization runs visualize_bootstrap.py from that directory. Exploitation requires the victim to open the crafted project and invoke visualization; the script runs with the local user's privileges and can read, modify, or delete accessible data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-49986
Published
Aug 14, 2026
Updated
Aug 14, 2026
Vendor
cdeust
Product
Cortex
Classifications
CWE-829, CAPEC-549, T1204
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 3.17.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

cdeust · Cortexversion=< 3.17.1

Published CVSS scores

7.1GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
CAPEC-549Local Execution of Code
T1204User Execution

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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