Unrestricted Command Execution via system.execute (CVE-2026-66088)

What is affected, what to do

In openEQUELLA before 2026.1, the system.execute() function available to the scripting engine runs supplied operating system commands without validation or an allow-list of permitted executables. A user able to create or edit scripts can use it to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the openEQUELLA service account.

Update Apereo Foundation openEQUELLA to version 2026.1.

Affected

• Apereo Foundation openEQUELLA lt *..2026.1

Fixed in

• Apereo Foundation openEQUELLA 2026.1

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Metrics

Detection rules

No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.

Classification under NIS2 and CRA

Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.

NIS2

NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.

Read in glossary

High technical severity: assess and remediate the vulnerability in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2 and document the decision.

CRA

The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.

Read in glossary

From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.

Read in glossary

Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.

Description

In openEQUELLA before 2026.1, the system.execute() function available to the scripting engine runs supplied operating system commands without validation or an allow-list of permitted executables. A user able to create or edit scripts can use it to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the openEQUELLA service account.

Source: NVD (NIST), cvelistv5

Vendors and products

• Apereo Foundation Openequella

Weakness classes (CWE)

• CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

  Base

  The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

  Entry at MITRE CWE-78

• CWE-749Exposed Dangerous Method or Function

  Base

  The product provides an Applications Programming Interface (API) or similar interface for interaction with external actors, but the interface includes a dangerous method or function that is not properly restricted.

  Entry at MITRE CWE-749

References & sources

• github.comopenequella/openEQUELLA/security/advisories/GHSA-q8xp-w3fr-hj4vVendor advisory
• openequella.github.ioguidesProduct

Changes to this CVE

Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).

1. 29.10.2026Record modifiedCISA ADP

   CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: none known, automatable: no

   Show the original change

   Individual changes of this event as published by NVD

   Type	Action	Before	After
   SSVC assessment	added	—	{"id":"CVE-2026-66088","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-10-29T01:50:52.370616Z"}

   Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

2. 29.10.2026Received9c1820ae…

   CVSS V4.0: AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L

   Weakness type: CWE-78, CWE-749

   Description added or changed

   New references:

   • https://github.com/openequella/openEQUELLA/security/advisories/GHSA-q8xp-w3fr-hj4v
   • https://openequella.github.io/guides/
   Show 7 original changes

   Individual changes of this event as published by NVD

   Type	Action	Before	After
   Description	added	—	In openEQUELLA before 2026.1, the system.execute() function available to the scripting engine runs supplied operating system commands without validation or an allow-list of permitted executables. A user able to create or edit scripts can use it to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the openEQUELLA service account.
   CVSS	added	—	AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L/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
   Weakness type (CWE)	added	—	CWE-78
   Weakness type (CWE)	added	—	CWE-749
   Affected versions (publisher)	added	—	New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/66xxx/CVE-2026-66088.json">CVE-2026-66088</a>
   Reference	added	—	https://github.com/openequella/openEQUELLA/security/advisories/GHSA-q8xp-w3fr-hj4v
   Reference	added	—	https://openequella.github.io/guides/

   Source identifier: 9c1820ae-fb77-4810-a8aa-ca46e7474d2f