CVE-2026-0760 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) affecting Foundation Agents MetaGPT version 0.8.1. The flaw exists in the deserialize_message function, where user-supplied data is deserialized without proper validation, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the service account. This vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it trivially exploitable over the network. The deserialization process is inherently risky when handling untrusted input, and in this case, the lack of validation allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when deserialized, trigger execution of attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers can gain full control over the affected system. The CVSS v3.0 score is 9.8, reflecting the critical nature of this flaw with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability was assigned by ZDI (ZDI-CAN-28121) and published on January 23, 2026. The affected product, MetaGPT, is a component of Foundation Agents, which is used in AI and automation frameworks, potentially deployed in enterprise environments. The absence of patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive measures to mitigate risk.

The impact of CVE-2026-0760 on European organizations can be severe. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the MetaGPT service account, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in data breaches, disruption of AI-driven services, and lateral movement within corporate networks. Confidentiality is at high risk as attackers can access sensitive data processed by MetaGPT. Integrity is compromised as attackers can alter or inject malicious data or commands. Availability is threatened due to possible service disruption or destruction of system components. European organizations relying on MetaGPT for AI automation or data processing could face operational downtime and reputational damage. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements increases the likelihood of exploitation, especially in exposed network environments. Critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and technology companies in Europe are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on advanced AI tools and automation frameworks.

1. Immediately restrict network access to MetaGPT services, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all data fed into the deserialize_message function to prevent malicious payloads. 3. Monitor network traffic and logs for unusual deserialization activity or unexpected serialized data patterns. 4. Employ application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems capable of detecting and blocking deserialization attacks. 5. Isolate MetaGPT instances in segmented network zones to contain potential breaches. 6. Prepare for rapid patch deployment once an official fix is released by Foundation Agents. 7. Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing focusing on deserialization vulnerabilities in AI frameworks. 8. Educate development and security teams about secure deserialization practices and the risks of untrusted data processing. 9. Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and prevent exploitation attempts in real time. 10. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to AI service compromises.