Shell command execution via unchecked project allow_shell override
Published Aug 18, 2026 · Updated Aug 18, 2026
Code injection in Hmbown CodeWhale before 0.8.64 allows attackers to execute shell commands through a malicious repository config. The merge_project_config function unconditionally copies allow_shell=true from an untrusted project file, exposing exec_shell and task_shell tools to the model. Exploitation requires a repository maintainer or supply-chain attacker to plant the file and a user to run CodeWhale in that repository; commands then run with the user's permissions, and many execute without another approval.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in Hmbown CodeWhale before 0.8.64 allows attackers to execute shell commands through a malicious repository config. The merge_project_config function unconditionally copies allow_shell=true from an untrusted project file, exposing exec_shell and task_shell tools to the model. Exploitation requires a repository maintainer or supply-chain attacker to plant the file and a user to run CodeWhale in that repository; commands then run with the user's permissions, and many execute without another approval.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-75911
- Published
- Aug 18, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 18, 2026
- Vendor
- Hmbown
- Product
- CodeWhale
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 18, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0.8.41 <0.8.64
- Affected versionversion=0.8.6 <0.8.41
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Maintainer advisory proof of concept for project allow_shell overrideproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo