CVE-2026-7803: Langflow RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-7803 Overview

CVE-2026-7803 is an arbitrary code execution vulnerability affecting IBM Langflow OSS versions 1.0.0 through 1.10.0. The flaw stems from improper validation of flow nodes when the component type field is missing or empty. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can send a crafted flow definition to trigger execution of arbitrary code on the host running Langflow. The issue is tracked under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and carries network-based exploitability with no privileges or user interaction required.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on Langflow servers, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system and any connected AI pipelines.

Affected Products

IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.10.0
Langflow deployments exposing the flow node parser to untrusted input
Downstream AI pipelines and services orchestrated by vulnerable Langflow instances

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-7803 published to NVD
2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-7803

Vulnerability Analysis

Langflow is a visual builder for constructing agentic and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) flows using LangChain components. Flows are represented as JSON graphs, where each node declares a component type that maps to executable Python logic. CVE-2026-7803 arises because the flow loader accepts nodes whose component type field is absent or empty and still routes them through the component resolution path. That resolution path treats attacker-controlled node metadata as trusted, enabling code paths that execute arbitrary Python. The result is unauthenticated remote code execution on any Langflow instance reachable by the attacker.

Root Cause

The root cause is CWE-20: Improper Input Validation within the flow node parser. The parser does not enforce that the component type field is present, non-empty, and part of an allow-list of known component classes. Missing validation causes the loader to fall back on attacker-supplied fields when resolving the component to execute.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based. An attacker submits a crafted flow definition to a Langflow API endpoint that accepts flow imports, updates, or runs. The malicious payload contains at least one node with a missing or empty type field alongside additional fields the parser trusts. When Langflow processes the flow, the improperly validated node causes execution of attacker-controlled code within the Langflow process. See the IBM Support advisory for technical details on affected code paths.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7803

Indicators of Compromise

Inbound HTTP requests to Langflow flow import, update, or run endpoints containing JSON nodes with missing or empty type fields.
Child processes spawned by the Langflow Python interpreter that deviate from expected component execution, such as shells, package managers, or network utilities.
Outbound network connections from the Langflow host to unfamiliar infrastructure shortly after flow submissions.
New or modified files in the Langflow working directory, virtual environment, or component cache that were not deployed by administrators.

Detection Strategies

Inspect Langflow application logs for flow load errors, unexpected component resolution warnings, or tracebacks referencing node parsing.
Deploy web application firewall or reverse proxy rules that flag flow JSON payloads containing nodes without a populated type string.
Correlate Langflow process telemetry with endpoint detection data to identify anomalous child processes launched from the Python runtime.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose audit logging on all Langflow API endpoints, especially those accepting user-supplied flow definitions.
Forward Langflow, container, and host telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for behavioral correlation.
Alert on any Langflow process making outbound connections outside of documented model provider endpoints.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7803

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Langflow to a fixed release above 1.10.0 as directed by the IBM Support advisory.
Restrict network exposure of Langflow to trusted users and internal networks until patches are applied.
Require authentication and role-based access control on all Langflow API endpoints that accept flow definitions.
Audit stored flows and recent flow submissions for nodes with missing or empty component type fields.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance in the IBM Support Article for Langflow OSS. Administrators should follow the vendor advisory to obtain the corrected version and validate that the deployed build number is no longer within the affected 1.0.0 through 1.10.0 range.

Workarounds

Place Langflow behind an authenticating reverse proxy that rejects unauthenticated requests to flow management endpoints.
Filter inbound flow JSON at a gateway to drop payloads containing nodes without a valid, non-empty type field.
Run Langflow in a hardened, least-privilege container with no outbound internet access beyond required model APIs.
Disable public-facing flow import functionality until the environment is patched.

bash

# Example reverse proxy rule to block flow payloads with empty node type fields
# NGINX + njs pseudo-configuration
location /api/v1/flows {
    if ($request_method = POST) {
        access_by_lua_block {
            local body = ngx.req.get_body_data() or ""
            if body:find('"type"%s*:%s*""') or body:find('"type"%s*:%s*null') then
                ngx.exit(400)
            end
        }
    }
    proxy_pass http://langflow_upstream;
}