CodeWhale: run_tests Tool Enables RCE via Malicious Repository Without Approval
Published May 28, 2026
9.6
CRITICALCVSS 3.1
EPSS 0.69%
Description
CodeWhale is a DeepSeek + MiMo coding agent in terminal. From 0.3.0 to 0.8.23, the run_tests tool executes cargo test in the workspace with ApprovalRequirement::Auto, meaning it runs without any user approval prompt. cargo test compiles and executes arbitrary code: test binaries, build.rs build scripts, and proc macros. While auto-approving test execution is a deliberate design choice, it creates an inconsistency in the security boundary. However, in a malicious repository, test code can execute arbitrary shell commands, exfiltrate credentials, or establish persistence with zero approval. The attack is amplified by AGENTS.md (auto-loaded into the system prompt), which can instruct the model to run tests proactively at session start. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.23.
Affected products
-
- Version >= 0.3.0, < 0.8.23StatusaffectedConstraints-
- Version
No data.
No data.
No Red Hat product state for this CVE.
deepseek-tui
crates.io
Introduced 0.3.0 Fixed 0.8.23deepseek-tui-cli
crates.io
Introduced 0.3.0 Fixed 0.8.23deepseek-tui
npm
Introduced 0.3.0 Fixed 0.8.23
| Ecosystem | Package | Introduced | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| crates.io | deepseek-tui | 0.3.0 | 0.8.23 |
| crates.io | deepseek-tui-cli | 0.3.0 | 0.8.23 |
| npm | deepseek-tui | 0.3.0 | 0.8.23 |
Remediation
No remediation recorded yet.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
No CVSS v3.0 score for this CVE.
No CVSS v2.0 score for this CVE.
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
CISA SSVC (Vulnrichment)
Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization from CISA ADP.
Exploitation
PoCAutomatable
NoTechnical Impact
TotalDecision
n/aAssessed Jun 1, 2026 · SSVC 2.0.3
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
Score over time
May–Oct 2026- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (3 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 0.69% (0.00685) | 50.81th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 0.38% (0.00375) | 29.05th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| May 29, 2026 | 0.04% (0.00044) | 13.79th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
References (5)
- https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/security/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 exploitx_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/releases/tag/v0.8.23
- https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/security/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8 Advisory
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45311
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.