Vulnerability-Lookup

GHSA-QXJP-W3PJ-48M7

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-16 20:13 – Updated: 2026-06-16 20:13

Summary

Crawl4AI: AST Sandbox Escape via gi_frame.f_back Chain - Pre-Auth RCE in Docker API

Details

Summary

The _safe_eval_expression() function in the computed fields feature uses an AST validator that only blocks attributes starting with underscore. Python generator and frame object attributes (gi_frame, f_back, f_builtins) do NOT start with underscore, enabling a complete sandbox escape to achieve arbitrary code execution.

The attack requires no authentication (JWT disabled by default) and is triggered via POST /crawl with a crafted extraction schema.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a POST /crawl request with a JsonCssExtractionStrategy schema containing a malicious computed field expression that: 1. Creates a generator to access gi_frame 2. Walks the frame chain via f_back 3. Reaches f_builtins containing the real __import__ 4. Imports os and executes arbitrary commands

Impact

Unauthenticated remote code execution inside the Docker container. An attacker can execute arbitrary system commands, read/write files, and exfiltrate secrets.

Fix Details

Removed eval() from computed field expression path entirely -- expressions now log a warning and return default value
Deleted _safe_eval_expression() function and _SAFE_EVAL_BUILTINS (dead security-sensitive code)
function key with Python callables still works for SDK users
Replaced eval() in /config/dump with JSON-based input validated by Pydantic
Fixed hook_manager sandbox: stripped __builtins__, __loader__, __spec__ from injected modules; removed getattr, setattr, type, __build_class__ from allowed builtins

Workarounds

Upgrade to the patched version (recommended)
Enable JWT authentication via CRAWL4AI_API_TOKEN environment variable
Restrict network access to the Docker API

Credits

Song Binglin (q1uf3ng) - reported the AST sandbox escape
by111 (August829) - reported the hook sandbox __builtins__ escape and hardcoded JWT secret bypass
jannahopp - PR #1855 proposing eval removal
ntohidi - PR #1886 proposing allowlist approach

Severity

9.8 (Critical)


                  
                    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Show details on source website

JSON

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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "database_specific": {
        "last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 0.8.6"
      },
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "crawl4ai"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "0.8.7"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-53753"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-913",
      "CWE-94"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-06-16T20:13:07Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\n\nThe `_safe_eval_expression()` function in the computed fields feature uses an AST validator that only blocks attributes starting with underscore. Python generator and frame object attributes (`gi_frame`, `f_back`, `f_builtins`) do NOT start with underscore, enabling a complete sandbox escape to achieve arbitrary code execution.\n\nThe attack requires no authentication (JWT disabled by default) and is triggered via `POST /crawl` with a crafted extraction schema.\n\n### Attack Vector\n\nAn attacker sends a `POST /crawl` request with a `JsonCssExtractionStrategy` schema containing a malicious computed field expression that:\n1. Creates a generator to access `gi_frame`\n2. Walks the frame chain via `f_back`\n3. Reaches `f_builtins` containing the real `__import__`\n4. Imports `os` and executes arbitrary commands\n\n### Impact\n\nUnauthenticated remote code execution inside the Docker container. An attacker can execute arbitrary system commands, read/write files, and exfiltrate secrets.\n\n### Fix Details\n\n1. Removed `eval()` from computed field expression path entirely -- expressions now log a warning and return default value\n2. Deleted `_safe_eval_expression()` function and `_SAFE_EVAL_BUILTINS` (dead security-sensitive code)\n3. `function` key with Python callables still works for SDK users\n4. Replaced `eval()` in `/config/dump` with JSON-based input validated by Pydantic\n5. Fixed hook_manager sandbox: stripped `__builtins__`, `__loader__`, `__spec__` from injected modules; removed `getattr`, `setattr`, `type`, `__build_class__` from allowed builtins\n\n### Workarounds\n\n1. Upgrade to the patched version (recommended)\n2. Enable JWT authentication via `CRAWL4AI_API_TOKEN` environment variable\n3. Restrict network access to the Docker API\n\n### Credits\n\n- Song Binglin ([q1uf3ng](https://github.com/q1uf3ng)) - reported the AST sandbox escape\n- by111 ([August829](https://github.com/August829)) - reported the hook sandbox `__builtins__` escape and hardcoded JWT secret bypass\n- [jannahopp](https://github.com/jannahopp) - PR #1855 proposing eval removal\n- [ntohidi](https://github.com/ntohidi) - PR #1886 proposing allowlist approach",
  "id": "GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7",
  "modified": "2026-06-16T20:13:07Z",
  "published": "2026-06-16T20:13:07Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/pull/1855"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/pull/1886"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Crawl4AI: AST Sandbox Escape via gi_frame.f_back Chain - Pre-Auth RCE in Docker API"
}

CVE-2026-53753 (GCVE-0-2026-53753)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-06-23 18:17 – Updated: 2026-06-23 18:55

Title

Crawl4AI: AST Sandbox Escape via gi_frame.f_back Chain - Pre-Auth RCE in Docker API

Summary

Crawl4AI is an open-source LLM friendly web crawler & scraper. Prior to 0.8.7, the _safe_eval_expression() function in the computed fields feature uses an AST validator that only blocks attributes starting with underscore. Python generator and frame object attributes (gi_frame, f_back, f_builtins) do NOT start with underscore, enabling a complete sandbox escape to achieve arbitrary code execution. The attack requires no authentication (JWT disabled by default) and is triggered via POST /crawl with a crafted extraction schema. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7.

Severity

9.8 (Critical)


                        
                          CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

SSVC

Exploitation: poc Automatable: yes Technical Impact: total

CISA Coordinator (v2.0.3)

CWE

CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CWE-913 - Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources

Assigner

GitHub_M

References

1 reference

URL	Tags
https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/ad…	x_refsource_CONFIRM

Impacted products

1 product

Vendor	Product	Version
unclecode	crawl4ai	Affected: < 0.8.7

Show details on NVD website

JSON

To clipboard

{
  "containers": {
    "adp": [
      {
        "metrics": [
          {
            "other": {
              "content": {
                "id": "CVE-2026-53753",
                "options": [
                  {
                    "Exploitation": "poc"
                  },
                  {
                    "Automatable": "yes"
                  },
                  {
                    "Technical Impact": "total"
                  }
                ],
                "role": "CISA Coordinator",
                "timestamp": "2026-06-23T18:55:14.019870Z",
                "version": "2.0.3"
              },
              "type": "ssvc"
            }
          }
        ],
        "providerMetadata": {
          "dateUpdated": "2026-06-23T18:55:22.278Z",
          "orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
          "shortName": "CISA-ADP"
        },
        "references": [
          {
            "tags": [
              "exploit"
            ],
            "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7"
          }
        ],
        "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment"
      }
    ],
    "cna": {
      "affected": [
        {
          "product": "crawl4ai",
          "vendor": "unclecode",
          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "\u003c 0.8.7"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "Crawl4AI is an open-source LLM friendly web crawler \u0026 scraper. Prior to 0.8.7, the _safe_eval_expression() function in the computed fields feature uses an AST validator that only blocks attributes starting with underscore. Python generator and frame object attributes (gi_frame, f_back, f_builtins) do NOT start with underscore, enabling a complete sandbox escape to achieve arbitrary code execution. The attack requires no authentication (JWT disabled by default) and is triggered via POST /crawl with a crafted extraction schema. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.7."
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "attackVector": "NETWORK",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "baseScore": 9.8,
            "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
            "scope": "UNCHANGED",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          }
        }
      ],
      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-94",
              "description": "CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code (\u0027Code Injection\u0027)",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-913",
              "description": "CWE-913: Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-06-23T18:17:18.936Z",
        "orgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
        "shortName": "GitHub_M"
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "name": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7",
          "tags": [
            "x_refsource_CONFIRM"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "advisory": "GHSA-qxjp-w3pj-48m7",
        "discovery": "UNKNOWN"
      },
      "title": "Crawl4AI: AST Sandbox Escape via gi_frame.f_back Chain - Pre-Auth RCE in Docker API"
    }
  },
  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
    "assignerShortName": "GitHub_M",
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-53753",
    "datePublished": "2026-06-23T18:17:18.936Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-06-10T17:48:40.546Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-06-23T18:55:22.278Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2"
}

Sightings

Author	Source	Type	Date	Other

Nomenclature

Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.

Detection rules are retrieved from Rulezet.

Action not permitted

GHSA-QXJP-W3PJ-48M7

Summary

Attack Vector

Impact

Fix Details

Workarounds

Credits

CVE-2026-53753 (GCVE-0-2026-53753)

Tags

Sightings

Nomenclature