CVE-2026-35581: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in NationalSecurityAgency emissary
Emissary is a P2P based data-driven workflow engine. Prior to 8.39.0, the Executrix utility class constructed shell commands by concatenating configuration-derived values — including the PLACE_NAME parameter — with insufficient sanitization. Only spaces were replaced with underscores, allowing shell metacharacters (;, |, $, `, (, ), etc.) to pass through into /bin/sh -c command execution. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.39.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Emissary, a P2P data-driven workflow engine by the NationalSecurityAgency, had a vulnerability in versions before 8.39.0 where the Executrix utility class built shell commands by concatenating configuration values, including PLACE_NAME, with insufficient sanitization. Only spaces were replaced with underscores, allowing dangerous shell metacharacters such as ;, |, $, `, (, and ) to be included in commands executed via /bin/sh -c. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-78) could lead to OS command injection. The vulnerability is fixed in version 8.39.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with high privileges could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary OS commands on the affected system, potentially leading to full compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.2 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade to emissary version 8.39.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor's versioning information. No other mitigation steps are indicated.
CVE-2026-35581: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in NationalSecurityAgency emissary
Description
Emissary is a P2P based data-driven workflow engine. Prior to 8.39.0, the Executrix utility class constructed shell commands by concatenating configuration-derived values — including the PLACE_NAME parameter — with insufficient sanitization. Only spaces were replaced with underscores, allowing shell metacharacters (;, |, $, `, (, ), etc.) to pass through into /bin/sh -c command execution. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.39.0.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Emissary, a P2P data-driven workflow engine by the NationalSecurityAgency, had a vulnerability in versions before 8.39.0 where the Executrix utility class built shell commands by concatenating configuration values, including PLACE_NAME, with insufficient sanitization. Only spaces were replaced with underscores, allowing dangerous shell metacharacters such as ;, |, $, `, (, and ) to be included in commands executed via /bin/sh -c. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-78) could lead to OS command injection. The vulnerability is fixed in version 8.39.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with high privileges could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary OS commands on the affected system, potentially leading to full compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.2 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade to emissary version 8.39.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor's versioning information. No other mitigation steps are indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-03T20:09:02.827Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69d5314faaed68159a339925
Added to database: 4/7/2026, 4:31:11 PM
Last enriched: 4/7/2026, 4:46:14 PM
Last updated: 4/8/2026, 12:15:29 AM
Views: 8
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