CVE-2026-45311
CodeWhale: run_tests Tool Enables RCE via Malicious Repository Without Approval
- Published
- Updated
- Reserved
- Assigned by
- GitHub_M
Description
CodeWhale is a DeepSeek + MiMo coding agent in terminal. From 0.3.0 to 0.8.23, the run_tests tool executes cargo test in the workspace with ApprovalRequirement::Auto, meaning it runs without any user approval prompt. cargo test compiles and executes arbitrary code: test binaries, build.rs build scripts, and proc macros. While auto-approving test execution is a deliberate design choice, it creates an inconsistency in the security boundary. However, in a malicious repository, test code can execute arbitrary shell commands, exfiltrate credentials, or establish persistence with zero approval. The attack is amplified by AGENTS.md (auto-loaded into the system prompt), which can instruct the model to run tests proactively at session start. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.23.
Public exploit
A reference of the record is tagged as an exploit or proof of concept: anyone can try it against an unpatched system. CISA's SSVC rates its exploitation: a proof of concept is public.
- https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/security/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)x_refsource_CONFIRMexploit
Timeline
ID reserved
By GitHub_M
- 17 days later
· 17 days later
Published
- 4 days later
· 4 days later
Record updated
Changes after publication (a new score, a public exploit, EPSS crossing 1, 10 or 50 %, leaving KEV) are kept since November 2026; earlier ones are not known.
Scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub_MCNA (assigner) | 3.1 | Critical9.6 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVDNVD · Deferred | 3.1 | Critical9.6 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- EPSS (exploitation in 30 days)
- 0.57% · top 53% of all CVEs (7 Nov 2026)
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation: poc · Automatable: no · Technical impact: total
The list uses the assigner's score when there is one, then CISA's, then NVD's: Critical 9.6.
Weakness
Affected products
Affected packages
From reviewed advisories of the GitHub Advisory Database.
- crates.iodeepseek-tuiGHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)
- crates.iodeepseek-tui-cliGHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)
- npmdeepseek-tuiGHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)
References (1)
- https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/security/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)x_refsource_CONFIRMexploit
Sources
The same CVE in the primary databases and aggregators, to check against.
- CVE.org record (opens in a new tab)
- CVE List JSON (GitHub) (opens in a new tab)
- NVD (opens in a new tab)
- FIRST EPSS (opens in a new tab)
- OSV.dev (opens in a new tab)
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 (opens in a new tab)
- CIRCL Vulnerability-Lookup (opens in a new tab)
Badge for a README or a ticket
[](https://trackcve.app/cve/CVE-2026-45311)Record last updated .