CVE-2026-77601: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in OpenC3 cosmos
OpenC3 COSMOS provides the functionality needed to send commands to and receive data from one or more embedded systems. From 5.12.0 until 7.3.0, an authenticated actor can write the pypi_url setting through set_setting at POST /openc3-api/api, then cause OpenC3::PluginModel.install_phase2 in openc3/lib/openc3/models/plugin_model.rb to interpolate the value into a shell command while installing a plugin with Python dependency metadata. Shell metacharacters in the setting are interpreted by the command shell, allowing arbitrary operating-system commands to run as the openc3 service user with access to Redis and bucket credentials. Open-source deployments permit any authenticated user to reach the affected operations, while Enterprise deployments require an administrator. This issue is fixed in version 7.3.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
OpenC3 COSMOS versions >=5.12.0 and <7.3.0 contain an OS command injection vulnerability (CWE-78) due to improper neutralization of special elements in the pypi_url setting. Authenticated actors can write to this setting via the set_setting API endpoint and trigger command injection during plugin installation in the install_phase2 method of PluginModel. This allows execution of arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the openc3 service user, which has access to sensitive resources like Redis and bucket credentials. The vulnerability is resolved in version 7.3.0.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary operating system commands as the openc3 service user, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized access to Redis and bucket credentials, and disruption of service. The impact is high due to the level of access gained and the sensitive resources exposed. Open-source deployments are more exposed as any authenticated user can exploit this, whereas Enterprise deployments require administrator privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OpenC3 COSMOS to version 7.3.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until upgrading, restrict access to the set_setting API endpoint to trusted users only and avoid installing plugins from untrusted sources. No other official mitigations are provided. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 7.3.0.
CVE-2026-77601: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in OpenC3 cosmos
Description
OpenC3 COSMOS provides the functionality needed to send commands to and receive data from one or more embedded systems. From 5.12.0 until 7.3.0, an authenticated actor can write the pypi_url setting through set_setting at POST /openc3-api/api, then cause OpenC3::PluginModel.install_phase2 in openc3/lib/openc3/models/plugin_model.rb to interpolate the value into a shell command while installing a plugin with Python dependency metadata. Shell metacharacters in the setting are interpreted by the command shell, allowing arbitrary operating-system commands to run as the openc3 service user with access to Redis and bucket credentials. Open-source deployments permit any authenticated user to reach the affected operations, while Enterprise deployments require an administrator. This issue is fixed in version 7.3.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
OpenC3
cosmos
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
OpenC3 COSMOS versions >=5.12.0 and <7.3.0 contain an OS command injection vulnerability (CWE-78) due to improper neutralization of special elements in the pypi_url setting. Authenticated actors can write to this setting via the set_setting API endpoint and trigger command injection during plugin installation in the install_phase2 method of PluginModel. This allows execution of arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the openc3 service user, which has access to sensitive resources like Redis and bucket credentials. The vulnerability is resolved in version 7.3.0.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary operating system commands as the openc3 service user, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized access to Redis and bucket credentials, and disruption of service. The impact is high due to the level of access gained and the sensitive resources exposed. Open-source deployments are more exposed as any authenticated user can exploit this, whereas Enterprise deployments require administrator privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OpenC3 COSMOS to version 7.3.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until upgrading, restrict access to the set_setting API endpoint to trusted users only and avoid installing plugins from untrusted sources. No other official mitigations are provided. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 7.3.0.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-20T20:48:20.507Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ab42274f7a7c5410633c3b9
Added to database: 09/23/2026, 19:03:16 UTC
Last enriched: 09/23/2026, 19:17:39 UTC
Last updated: 09/23/2026, 22:55:15 UTC
Views: 8
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