CVE-2026-5532: ScrapeGraphAI RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-5532 Overview

A command injection vulnerability has been identified in ScrapeGraphAI scrapegraph-ai versions up to 1.74.0. The vulnerability exists in the create_sandbox_and_execute function within the scrapegraphai/nodes/generate_code_node.py file of the GenerateCodeNode Component. This flaw allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands through crafted input, potentially leading to remote code execution on affected systems.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands on systems running vulnerable versions of ScrapeGraphAI, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• ScrapeGraphAI scrapegraph-ai versions up to and including 1.74.0
• Systems utilizing the GenerateCodeNode Component
• Applications integrating the affected create_sandbox_and_execute function

Discovery Timeline

• April 5, 2026 - CVE-2026-5532 published to NVD
• April 7, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-5532

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command). The flaw resides in the GenerateCodeNode component, specifically within the create_sandbox_and_execute function located in scrapegraphai/nodes/generate_code_node.py. The function fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before passing it to OS command execution routines, enabling attackers to inject malicious commands.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring prior authentication. However, user interaction is required for successful exploitation. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-5532 is improper input validation and sanitization in the create_sandbox_and_execute function. When processing user-supplied data, the function does not adequately filter or escape special characters and command separators, allowing attackers to break out of the intended command context and inject arbitrary OS commands. This is a classic command injection pattern where untrusted data is concatenated directly into command strings executed by the system shell.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and can be initiated remotely. An attacker can craft malicious input containing OS command syntax (such as command separators like ;, |, &&, or backticks) that, when processed by the vulnerable function, results in the execution of attacker-controlled commands on the underlying operating system. The exploit has been disclosed publicly, increasing the risk of active exploitation.

The vulnerability mechanism involves insufficient sanitization of input passed to the create_sandbox_and_execute function in the GenerateCodeNode component. Malicious payloads can leverage shell metacharacters to chain additional commands or redirect execution flow. Technical details and proof-of-concept information can be found in the GitHub Issue #19 and VulDB entry #355285.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-5532

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process spawning from Python processes running ScrapeGraphAI
• Unexpected network connections originating from the application server
• Anomalous command execution patterns in system logs associated with the scrapegraph-ai process
• Evidence of shell command characters (;, |, &&, backticks) in application input logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor application logs for suspicious input patterns containing shell metacharacters targeting the GenerateCodeNode component
• Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) to detect command injection attempts
• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures for common command injection payloads
• Audit process creation events for unexpected child processes of the ScrapeGraphAI application

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the ScrapeGraphAI application to capture input data for forensic analysis
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on command injection patterns in web application firewalls (WAF) logs
• Monitor system call activity for unusual exec, system, or popen invocations from Python processes

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-5532

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade ScrapeGraphAI scrapegraph-ai to a version newer than 1.74.0 when a patch becomes available
• Review and restrict network access to systems running vulnerable versions
• Implement input validation and sanitization at the application layer as a defense-in-depth measure
• Consider disabling or restricting the GenerateCodeNode component if not critical to operations

Patch Information

As of the last update on April 7, 2026, the vendor (ScrapeGraphAI) has not responded to disclosure attempts and no official patch information is available. Users should monitor the official ScrapeGraphAI repository and security advisories for updates. Additional vulnerability details are available at VulDB #355285.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation to reject inputs containing shell metacharacters before they reach the vulnerable function
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules to block command injection patterns
• Run the ScrapeGraphAI application in a sandboxed or containerized environment with minimal OS privileges
• Restrict network access to trusted sources only until a patch is available

# Example: Restrict network access to the application using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP