CVE-2026-31231

Cognee Remote Code Execution via Unsafe Notebook Cell Execution

Published May 12, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 9.8 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Cognee thru v0.4.0 contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability in its notebook cell execution API endpoint. The endpoint is designed to execute arbitrary Python code provided by the user, but it does so using the unsafe exec() function without any sandboxing, validation, or security controls. An attacker can exploit this by sending a specially crafted POST request containing malicious Python code to the execution endpoint. This leads to arbitrary code execution on the Cognee server with the privileges of the server process, allowing complete compromise of the system.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Cognee Remote Code Execution via Unsafe Notebook Cell Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Arbitrary Code Execution via Unsandboxed exec() in Cognee Notebook API
Weaknesses CWE-20
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Topoteretes
Topoteretes cognee
Vendors & Products Topoteretes
Topoteretes cognee
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Arbitrary Code Execution via Unsandboxed exec() in Cognee Notebook API
Weaknesses CWE-20
CWE-94
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Cognee thru v0.4.0 contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability in its notebook cell execution API endpoint. The endpoint is designed to execute arbitrary Python code provided by the user, but it does so using the unsafe exec() function without any sandboxing, validation, or security controls. An attacker can exploit this by sending a specially crafted POST request containing malicious Python code to the execution endpoint. This leads to arbitrary code execution on the Cognee server with the privileges of the server process, allowing complete compromise of the system.
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
May 15, 2026, 6:05 PM
Reserved
Mar 9, 2026, 12:00 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
May 12, 2026, 6:16 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:10 PM