CodeWhale versions >= 0.8.41 and < 0.8.64 contain a vulnerability in the exec_shell_interact (alias exec_interact) tool, whose approval_requirement returns ApprovalRequirement::Auto. This overrides the default Required approval for code-executing tools, so LLM-controlled stdin is written into an already-approved long-running interactive shell (e.g., a python3 -i REPL, mysql, ssh, or sudo -i session) without any approval prompt. An attacker who can inject instructions via untrusted content the agent ingests (a fetched page, MCP result, or repo file) can cause commands to run at the privilege level of that approved process.
Fixed in 0.8.64.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Local
Requires local access
Attack Complexity
High
Difficult to exploit
Attack Requirements
Present
Additional conditions required
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
Passive
Minimal interaction
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
High
Complete data modification
Availability
High
Complete denial of service
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
References 3
https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/commit/57f3c89471e27ac4032d9791f6885e5d4408…
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/security/advisories/GHSA-g29h-pfmp-qp9r
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/codewhale-before-privilege-escalation-via-…
disclosure@vulncheck.com