CVE-2026-12530 Overview
CVE-2026-12530 is an argument injection vulnerability in the install_packages() method of the AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of argument delimiters [CWE-88] when handling package name inputs. A remote authenticated user can supply crafted package name arguments to execute arbitrary commands inside the Code Interpreter sandbox. Affected releases include AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK versions >= 1.1.3 and < 1.6.1. AWS resolved the issue in version 1.6.1.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can break out of expected package installation behavior and execute arbitrary commands within the Code Interpreter sandbox, leading to confidentiality and integrity loss.
Affected Products
- AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK >= 1.1.3
- AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK < 1.6.1
- Applications embedding the bedrock-agentcore package install_packages() method
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2026-12530 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-12530
Vulnerability Analysis
The AWS Bedrock AgentCore Python SDK exposes an install_packages() helper that allows agents to install Python dependencies inside the Code Interpreter sandbox. The method forwards user-supplied package name strings to an underlying package manager invocation without neutralizing argument delimiters. An authenticated caller can pass strings containing flag-like tokens such as leading hyphens or option separators. The package manager then interprets those tokens as command-line options rather than package identifiers, altering execution behavior and enabling arbitrary command execution within the sandbox boundary. This class of flaw is tracked as Argument Injection [CWE-88].
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input sanitization on package name arguments before they are concatenated into a child-process command line. The SDK does not enforce a strict allow-list pattern for package identifiers and does not insert the -- end-of-options delimiter prior to user-controlled tokens. As a result, attacker-controlled values reach the package manager process as additional options.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and an authenticated session capable of invoking install_packages() on the target agent. The attacker supplies a crafted package name that contains argument delimiters or option flags recognized by the underlying installer. User interaction is required for the malicious agent action to be triggered. Successful exploitation yields arbitrary command execution scoped to the Code Interpreter sandbox, impacting confidentiality and integrity of sandbox contents.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the AWS Security Bulletin 2026-044 for vendor-confirmed technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-12530
Indicators of Compromise
- Calls to install_packages() with package name arguments containing leading hyphens, equals signs, or shell metacharacters
- Unexpected child processes spawned from the Code Interpreter sandbox following package installation requests
- Outbound network connections from the sandbox to non-PyPI endpoints immediately after an install_packages() invocation
- Presence of bedrock-agentcore versions between 1.1.3 and 1.6.0 in deployed environments
Detection Strategies
- Inspect agent invocation logs for install_packages() arguments that do not match a strict package-name regular expression such as ^[A-Za-z0-9._-]+(==[A-Za-z0-9._-]+)?$
- Audit installed SDK versions across build pipelines using pip show bedrock-agentcore and flag versions below 1.6.1
- Correlate Code Interpreter process telemetry with sandbox network egress to identify deviation from baseline installer behavior
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Bedrock AgentCore audit logs and sandbox process telemetry to a centralized analytics tier for correlation
- Alert on any package name token beginning with -, --, or containing ;, |, &, or backticks
- Track CloudTrail events for Bedrock AgentCore API calls associated with anomalous principals or unusual frequency
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-12530
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the bedrock-agentcore package to version 1.6.1 or later across all agent runtimes and build artifacts
- Inventory authenticated principals permitted to invoke Code Interpreter actions and reduce scope where possible
- Rotate credentials for any sandbox sessions suspected of misuse during the exposure window
- Review recent install_packages() calls for arguments that deviate from a strict package-name format
Patch Information
AWS released the fix in bedrock-agentcore version 1.6.1. Install the patched release from the PyPI Bedrock-AgentCore 1.6.1 Release and consult the AWS Security Bulletin 2026-044 for vendor guidance.
Workarounds
- Wrap or replace install_packages() with a caller-side validator that rejects any token not matching ^[A-Za-z0-9._-]+(==[A-Za-z0-9._-]+)?$
- Restrict which authenticated identities can invoke the Code Interpreter install_packages capability through least-privilege IAM policies
- Disable dynamic package installation in production agents and pre-bake required dependencies into the sandbox image
# Upgrade to the patched release
pip install --upgrade 'bedrock-agentcore>=1.6.1'
# Verify installed version
pip show bedrock-agentcore | grep -i version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
