CVE-2026-39420
CWE-78Published: April 14, 2026· Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Official Description
MaxKB is an open-source AI assistant for enterprise. In versions 2.7.1 and below, an incomplete sandbox protection mechanism allows an authenticated user with tool execution privileges to escape the LD_PRELOAD-based sandbox. By env command the attacker can clear the environment variables and drop the sandbox.so hook, leading to unrestricted Remote Code Execution (RCE) and network access. MaxKB restricts untrusted Python code execution via the Tool Debug API by injecting sandbox.so through the LD_PRELOAD environment variable. This intercepts sensitive C library functions (like execve, socket, open) to restrict network and file access. However, a patch allowed the /usr/bin/env utility to be executed by the sandboxed user. When an attacker is permitted to create subprocesses, they can execute the env -i python command. The -i flag instructs env to completely clear all environment variables before running the target program. This effectively drops the LD_PRELOAD environment variable. The newly spawned Python process will therefore execute natively without any sandbox hooks, bypassing all network and file system restrictions. This issue has been fixed in version 2.8.0.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-39420 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (3)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-78)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-39420 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts