CVE-2026-44461: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in zed-industries zed
Zed code editor versions prior to 0.227.1 contain an OS command injection vulnerability due to improper neutralization of special elements in environment variable keys used in remote SSH/WSL command construction. An attacker able to control environment variable keys can inject shell expansions that execute arbitrary commands on the remote host under the victim user's account. This vulnerability is addressed in version 0.227.1.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Zed versions before 0.227.1 build SSH/WSL remote commands by concatenating environment variable keys directly into shell command strings without proper quoting or validation. This allows shell expansions such as $(...) in environment variable keys to be evaluated by the remote shell when a terminal session is opened, leading to OS command injection (CWE-78). The vulnerability enables arbitrary command execution on the remote host with the privileges of the victim user. The issue is fixed in version 0.227.1.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker who can influence environment variable keys (e.g., via project terminal settings) to execute arbitrary commands on the remote host under the victim user's account. This can lead to full compromise of the user's remote environment, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.6 (high severity) reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, scope change, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Zed to version 0.227.1 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. There is no official patch link provided, but the vendor has addressed the issue in this version. Until upgrading, avoid using untrusted environment variable keys in remote terminal settings to reduce risk.
CVE-2026-44461: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in zed-industries zed
Description
Zed code editor versions prior to 0.227.1 contain an OS command injection vulnerability due to improper neutralization of special elements in environment variable keys used in remote SSH/WSL command construction. An attacker able to control environment variable keys can inject shell expansions that execute arbitrary commands on the remote host under the victim user's account. This vulnerability is addressed in version 0.227.1.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.6high
Affected software
pkg:github/zed-industries/zedRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Zed versions before 0.227.1 build SSH/WSL remote commands by concatenating environment variable keys directly into shell command strings without proper quoting or validation. This allows shell expansions such as $(...) in environment variable keys to be evaluated by the remote shell when a terminal session is opened, leading to OS command injection (CWE-78). The vulnerability enables arbitrary command execution on the remote host with the privileges of the victim user. The issue is fixed in version 0.227.1.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker who can influence environment variable keys (e.g., via project terminal settings) to execute arbitrary commands on the remote host under the victim user's account. This can lead to full compromise of the user's remote environment, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.6 (high severity) reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, scope change, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Zed to version 0.227.1 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. There is no official patch link provided, but the vendor has addressed the issue in this version. Until upgrading, avoid using untrusted environment variable keys in remote terminal settings to reduce risk.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-06T15:49:25.193Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a1871e7e29bf47b501244d7
Added to database: 05/28/2026, 16:48:39 UTC
Last enriched: 06/04/2026, 20:59:08 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:59 UTC
Views: 62
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