CVE-2026-14499: Langflow Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2026-14499 Overview

CVE-2026-14499 is a command injection vulnerability affecting IBM Langflow OSS versions 1.0.0 through 1.10.1. The flaw resides in the Python Interpreter component, which fails to properly validate user-supplied input. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary operating system commands with elevated privileges on the underlying host. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command).

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands with elevated privileges, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Langflow host system.

Affected Products

IBM Langflow OSS versions 1.0.0 through 1.10.1
Deployments on Linux systems
Deployments on Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows systems

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-17 - CVE-2026-14499 published to NVD
2026-07-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-14499

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the Python Interpreter component of Langflow. This component accepts user-supplied input intended for evaluation within a Python execution context. Insufficient validation and neutralization of special characters allow an authenticated user to break out of the intended execution boundary. The result is arbitrary OS command execution in the context of the Langflow process. Because Langflow deployments often run with elevated service privileges, successful exploitation can lead to full host compromise. The CWE-78 classification confirms the root cause as improper handling of OS command elements.

Root Cause

The Python Interpreter component does not sanitize or restrict input passed into the interpreter execution path. User-controlled data flows into functions that spawn or influence system commands without adequate filtering. This allows crafted payloads containing shell metacharacters or Python constructs such as os.system, subprocess.Popen, or __import__('os') to execute commands outside the intended sandbox.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to a Langflow instance and low-privilege authenticated credentials. No user interaction is needed. An attacker submits a crafted flow or payload to the Python Interpreter node. The interpreter processes the payload and executes attacker-supplied commands on the host. The attack completes over the network against the Langflow web interface or API. Refer to the IBM Support Page for vendor-specific technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14499

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by the Langflow parent process, such as /bin/sh, bash, cmd.exe, or powershell.exe.
Outbound network connections from the Langflow host to unfamiliar IP addresses or domains following interpreter component usage.
Modifications to system files, cron jobs, scheduled tasks, or SSH authorized_keys on the Langflow server.
Log entries showing Python Interpreter component executions containing shell metacharacters or subprocess, os.system, or __import__ references.

Detection Strategies

Monitor process ancestry for shell or scripting interpreters spawned by the Langflow service account.
Inspect Langflow application logs for Python Interpreter node invocations containing suspicious Python built-ins used for OS access.
Correlate authenticated Langflow API sessions with subsequent host-level command execution events.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose audit logging on the Langflow application and forward events to a centralized SIEM.
Instrument the host with EDR telemetry to capture process creation, command lines, and network connections originating from the Langflow service.
Establish behavioral baselines for the Langflow process to flag anomalous child processes or file system writes.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14499

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade IBM Langflow OSS to a fixed release above version 1.10.1 as directed on the IBM Support Page.
Restrict network access to Langflow interfaces to trusted users and management networks only.
Audit existing Langflow user accounts and revoke credentials that do not require access to the Python Interpreter component.
Review Langflow application logs for prior use of the Python Interpreter node and investigate any suspicious executions.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance on the IBM Support Page. Administrators should upgrade to the vendor-recommended fixed version of Langflow OSS above 1.10.1. Verify the deployed version with pip show langflow or the equivalent package manager command after applying the update.

Workarounds

Disable or remove the Python Interpreter component from available Langflow node palettes if it is not required for production flows.
Run the Langflow service under a dedicated non-privileged user account with the minimum permissions needed for operation.
Deploy Langflow inside a hardened container or sandbox with restricted syscall and filesystem access to limit the impact of command execution.
Enforce strong authentication and role-based access controls to reduce the pool of users able to interact with interpreter components.

bash

# Configuration example: verify installed Langflow version and upgrade
pip show langflow
pip install --upgrade langflow

# Run Langflow under a dedicated low-privilege user
sudo useradd -r -s /usr/sbin/nologin langflow-svc
sudo -u langflow-svc langflow run --host 127.0.0.1 --port 7860