CVE-2026-0830 is an OS command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78, affecting AWS Kiro IDE versions prior to 0.6.18. The vulnerability is triggered when the IDE processes specially crafted workspace folder names within the Kiro GitLab Merge-Request helper component. This component fails to properly neutralize special characters or command delimiters embedded in folder names, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands. When a user opens a maliciously crafted workspace, these commands execute with the privileges of the user running the IDE. The vulnerability requires local access to the system and user interaction to open the malicious workspace, but no authentication is necessary. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 8.4, reflecting high severity due to the potential for full compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where Kiro IDE is used for software development and continuous integration workflows. The recommended mitigation is to update to version 0.6.18, where the issue has been fixed by properly sanitizing workspace folder names to prevent command injection.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-0830 can be substantial, particularly for those relying on AWS Kiro IDE in their software development lifecycle. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise sensitive source code, inject malicious code, or disrupt development operations. This could result in intellectual property theft, insertion of backdoors or malware into software builds, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. The vulnerability threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by enabling unauthorized code execution and modification, and availability by potentially causing system crashes or denial of service. Given the integration of Kiro IDE with GitLab merge requests, attackers might also manipulate code review processes or inject malicious changes into version control systems. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or phishing attacks could facilitate exploitation. Organizations with stringent compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) may face regulatory and reputational risks if this vulnerability is exploited.

Organizations should immediately update AWS Kiro IDE to version 0.6.18 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched. Beyond patching, implement strict workspace folder naming policies and validation to prevent the use of special characters that could be interpreted as OS commands. Employ endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized command execution. Educate developers and users about the risks of opening untrusted or suspicious workspace folders, emphasizing the importance of verifying the source of workspaces before loading them. Restrict local access to development machines and enforce the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Integrate security scanning tools into the CI/CD pipeline to detect anomalous or malicious code changes potentially introduced via compromised IDE environments. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual command execution patterns or workspace activities. Consider isolating development environments using containerization or virtual machines to contain potential compromises.