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CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Primary rating from Vendor (VulnCheck) · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorVendor: VulnCheck
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Lifecycle Timeline
5DescriptionCVE.org
OpenHarness prior to commit 166fcfe contains an improper access control vulnerability in built-in file tools due to inconsistent parameter handling in permission enforcement, allowing attackers who can influence agent tool execution to read arbitrary local files outside the intended repository scope. Attackers can exploit the path parameter not being passed to the PermissionChecker in read_file, write_file, edit_file, and notebook_edit tools to bypass deny rules and access sensitive files such as configuration files, credentials, and SSH material, or create and overwrite files in restricted host paths in full_auto mode.
AnalysisAI
Improper access control in OpenHarness (prior to commit 166fcfe) allows local authenticated attackers with influence over agent tool execution to read arbitrary local files and write/overwrite files outside intended repository boundaries. The vulnerability stems from inconsistent parameter handling where the path parameter is not passed to PermissionChecker in four file operation tools (read_file, write_file, edit_file, notebook_edit), enabling bypass of deny rules to access sensitive credentials, SSH keys, and configuration files. Upstream fix available (PR/commit); released patched version not independently confirmed. EPSS data not available; no public exploit identified at time of analysis.
Technical ContextAI
OpenHarness is an AI agent development framework (HKUDS project) that provides file manipulation tools with permission enforcement mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in the built-in file tools layer where a PermissionChecker component is intended to validate file access against repository scope restrictions. The root cause (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) manifests as inconsistent authorization enforcement - while permission checks exist, the critical 'path' parameter required for proper access control validation is omitted when invoking PermissionChecker in four distinct file operation functions. This architectural flaw creates a parameter binding mismatch where the authorization decision is made without knowledge of the actual target path, rendering deny rules ineffective. In full_auto mode, this extends to file creation and overwriting capabilities, amplifying the authorization bypass from read-only to read-write scope violations across the host filesystem.
RemediationAI
Organizations should immediately upgrade to OpenHarness commit 166fcfefb7614dbac51bd061f56542725b0298e9 or later, which addresses the parameter handling inconsistency by ensuring the path parameter is correctly passed to PermissionChecker across all four affected file tools. The patch is available through GitHub pull request #32 (https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenHarness/pull/32) with the specific fix commit at https://github.com/HKUDS/OpenHarness/commit/166fcfefb7614dbac51bd061f56542725b0298e9. Until patching is complete, organizations should implement compensating controls including restricting which users can influence agent tool execution, implementing additional filesystem-level access controls through OS permissions or containerization boundaries, disabling full_auto mode if write capabilities are not essential, and monitoring file access patterns for suspicious out-of-scope operations. Detailed vulnerability analysis is available in the VulnCheck advisory at https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openharness-improper-access-control-via-file-tools.
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Same weakness CWE-863 – Incorrect Authorization
View allSame technique Authentication Bypass
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-19746
GHSA-43rx-99w7-v5fh