piflow: Unauthenticated remote code execution via chat agent
Summary
piflow versions 2.0.0 through 2.0.1 expose POST /chat and POST /chat/stream endpoints of the DeepAgents chat agent without authentication. An attacker with network access to the service can instruct the agent to call the exec_shell tool, which runs arbitrary operating system commands without human approval. Environment secrets such as LLM API keys and database credentials can be exposed.
Affected
- cas-bigdatalab piflow 2.0.0 through 2.0.1
- Default configuration is unaffected according to the CNA record (affected range as stated by VulnCheck)
Fixed in
Unknown. No vendor advisory or fixed version found as of 31 October 2026.
Workaround
- Take piflow off the internet or restrict access to trusted networks.
- Place an authenticating reverse proxy or firewall rules in front of the application so that the chat endpoints require authentication.
- Disable or remove the exec_shell tool from the chat agent (developer task).
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: exploitation status "poc", automatable: yes, technical impact: total.
- Public write-ups from VulnCheck and Lasso Security exist.
- Known exploited in the wild: not found.
- CVSS v4.0 base score 9.3 (CVE record); some sources cite CVSS 3.1 9.8.
Our recommendation
- Find all piflow 2.0.0 to 2.0.1 instances and check whether they are reachable from the internet or untrusted networks.
- Block access to the chat endpoints or require authentication immediately.
- Rotate LLM API keys, database credentials and other secrets available to the piflow process.
- Review web server logs for POST /chat and POST /chat/stream requests from unknown sources.
- Monitor the vendor repository for a fix and upgrade once available.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE-2026-109442 VulnCheck advisory www.vulncheck.com
- Lasso Security vulnerability database entry www.lasso.security
- VulDB CVE-2026-109442 vuldb.com
- piflow tools.py at vulnerable commit github.com
- piflow server.py at vulnerable commit github.com
- Hol.org CVE-2026-109442 hol.org
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 01:12.
Original description (NVD)
piflow 2.0.0 through 2.0.1 contains a remote code execution vulnerability in its DeepAgents chat agent, whose POST /chat and POST /chat/stream endpoints lack authentication. Attackers can instruct the agent to call the exec_shell tool, which runs arbitrary commands via subprocess.run without human approval or an allow-list, exposing environment secrets such as LLM API keys and database credentials.
NVD references (4)
- https://github.com/cas-bigdatalab/piflow/blob/ad8d0108a54a4257307d4946dc9250e26f24c63f/agents/tools.py#L114
- https://github.com/cas-bigdatalab/piflow/blob/ad8d0108a54a4257307d4946dc9250e26f24c63f/server.py#L615
- https://www.lasso.security/vulnerability-database/cve-2026-109442
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/piflow-2.0.0-through-2.0.1-unauthenticated-rce-via-chat-agent-exec-shell
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.