Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
-
AccessSend crafted HTTP request to agent endpoint
-
DeliveryInject malicious format_message parameter
-
ExploitTrigger improper output escaping
-
ExecutionManipulate message rendering in Slack/Mattermost
-
ImpactDisclose information or disrupt messaging service
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Output encoding for downstream
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Exploitation requires that the target deployment has either Slack Agent or Mattermost Agent components enabled and accessible via network. The vulnerability is exploitable against default configurations of Hermes Agent versions up to 2026.4.16 with no special configuration changes needed. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N) confirms remote unauthenticated exploitation with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. Exploitation is NOT limited by authentication barriers, non-standard deployments, or user-triggered actions. However, actual impact depends on how the format_message functionality is exposed - deployments with network-accessible API endpoints or webhooks for message formatting are directly exploitable, while air-gapped or strictly internal-only deployments face reduced risk. The attack requires the agent to process attacker-controlled input through the vulnerable format_message argument handler. |
| Impact | The vulnerability presents moderate real-world risk with mixed signals. CVSS 6.5 (Medium) reflects network-based exploitation with no authentication or user interaction required (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), but impact is limited to low integrity and availability (I:L/A:L) with no confidentiality impact (C:N). The CVSS temporal metrics show proof-of-concept exploit exists (E:P) with no remediation level documented (RL:X) and reasonable report confidence (RC:R). Public exploit availability on GitHub significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation. However, EPSS data is not available to assess observed exploitation probability, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV, suggesting no widespread active exploitation campaigns detected. The scope is unchanged (S:U), limiting blast radius to the vulnerable component itself. Critical missing data: EPSS exploitation probability, SSVC exploitation status, patch availability from vendor. The vendor's non-responsiveness to disclosure raises concerns about ongoing security support. Real-world risk depends heavily on deployment context - organizations using Hermes Agent for Slack/Mattermost integrations in production environments face moderate risk due to the network attack vector and public exploit, while the limited CVSS impact scores suggest exploitation may require chaining with other vulnerabilities for significant damage. Without vendor engagement or patch timeline, this should be prioritized for compensating controls rather than waiting for an official fix. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An unauthenticated remote attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request to a Hermes Agent API endpoint or webhook, embedding specially crafted format_message parameters with improper escape sequences. When the agent processes this input for Slack or Mattermost message rendering, the unescaped output manipulates message formatting to leak sensitive information from other chat contexts or corrupts message integrity, potentially causing service disruption or information disclosure to unauthorized parties. The public GitHub Gist exploit (https://gist.github.com/YLChen-007/e90fb38ac03284176bae49898a3a46a4) provides ready-to-use attack code requiring minimal technical sophistication. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – May 24, 2026
Improper output escaping in NousResearch Hermes Agent versions up to 2026.4.16 allows remote unauthenticated attackers to manipulate message formatting in Slack and Mattermost integrations, potentially leading to information disclosure and service disruption. The vulnerability is exploitable via crafted format_message arguments with low attack complexity and requires no user interaction. Public exploit code is available via GitHub Gist. The vendor did not respond to early disclosure attempts, and no patch availability is documented.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch is documented at time of analysis, as the vendor did not respond to early disclosure. Until an official fix becomes available, implement the following compensating controls: Restrict network access to Hermes Agent API endpoints and webhook handlers to trusted IP ranges only, blocking untrusted external access to format_message functionality. Deploy a reverse proxy or web application firewall to inspect and sanitize format_message parameter inputs, blocking payloads containing escape sequences, control characters, or formatting directives outside expected schemas - note this may break legitimate advanced formatting features if used. Disable Slack Agent and Mattermost Agent components entirely if not operationally required, eliminating the attack surface - impact includes loss of chat platform integration capabilities. Implement strict input validation on all external message sources before passing to format_message, though effectiveness depends on understanding the specific escaping flaw. Monitor VulDB (https://vuldb.com/vuln/365317) and NousResearch project channels for vendor response or community patches. Consider migrating to alternative agent frameworks with active security maintenance if vendor remains unresponsive. Review audit logs for suspicious format_message API calls showing manipulation attempts, focusing on unusual character patterns or formatting directives.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
The vulnerability affects the Hermes Agent messaging integration layer, specifically the format_message argument handling in Slack Agent and Mattermost Agent components. This is classified as CWE-116 (Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output), indicating the agent fails to properly sanitize or escape output when formatting messages for chat platforms. The affected component (cpe:2.3:a:nousresearch:hermes-agent) processes user-controlled input and renders it to messaging platforms without adequate output encoding. This class of vulnerability typically allows attackers to inject control characters, escape sequences, or formatting directives that bypass intended message boundaries, potentially enabling data exfiltration through crafted responses or disruption of message integrity. The network attack vector suggests the vulnerability can be triggered through API endpoints or webhook handlers that process external message formatting requests.
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P
Primary rating from Vendor (VulDB) · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorVendor: VulDB
Lifecycle Timeline
1DescriptionCVE.org
A vulnerability was detected in NousResearch hermes-agent up to 2026.4.16. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Slack Agent/Mattermost Agent. The manipulation of the argument format_message results in escaping of output. The attack can be executed remotely. The exploit is now public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.
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EUVD-2026-31566
GHSA-7pxq-5rjc-m2wr
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
Exploit-DB