Unauthenticated code execution in Cognition via local shell backend
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-306.
Summary
CognicellAI Cognition before 0.13.0 defaults its agent sandbox backend to local execution and ships no authentication on its REST/SSE API, which is missing authentication for a critical function (CWE-306). An unauthenticated remote attacker can create a session and post a message, causing the agent to run attacker-directed shell commands as the server process. An exploit is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
Cognition before 0.13.0 contains an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability due to defaulting its agent sandbox backend to local execution and shipping no authentication on its REST/SSE API. Attackers can create a session via POST /sessions and post a message via POST /sessions/{id}/messages without credentials, causing the Deep Agents ReAct loop to run attacker-directed shell commands through the local shell backend, resulting in remote code execution as the server process.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CognicellAI | Cognition | before 0.13.0 | 0.13.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- Cognition VendorCognicellAI Affected before 0.13.0 Fixed in 0.13.0 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Update Cognition to version 0.13.0, the fixed version. Versions before 0.13.0 are affected.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
- Fix · CNA Cognition (CognicellAI) Fixed in 0.13.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-20 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-109437
- 2026-10-20 Alias added: GHSA-c2qr-crjw-844g
- 2026-10-20 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-20 Priority changed: MEDIUM → HIGH
- 2026-10-25 EPSS moved to the 50th–90th percentile
References
Exploit 1
Sources
- CVE-2026-109437 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-109437 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-c2qr-crjw-844g · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences