# CVE-2026-42204: Coolify: Authenticated RCE via SHELL_SAFE_COMMAND_PATTERN regression → host root

> Authenticated users can inject shell commands via Docker Compose fields to execute code as root on the host.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 6 Jul 2026
- **Updated:** 7 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-chg4-63hm-xv9x

## What is CVE-2026-42204?

CVE-2026-42204 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in coollabsio coolify, published on 6 Jul 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Coolify is an open-source and self-hostable tool for managing servers, applications, and databases. From 4.0.0-beta.471 through 4.0.0-beta.473, a regression in SHELL_SAFE_COMMAND_PATTERN allowed ampersands in custom Docker Compose build, start, and pre/post-deployment command fields, allowing an authenticated team member to inject shell commands that execute on the host. This issue is fixed in version 4.0.0-beta.474.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-42204?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-42204?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-42204 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-42204 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-42204 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-42204 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-42204 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in coollabsio coolify, published on 6 Jul 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-42204 exists.

Affected product: coollabsio coolify. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-42204/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-42204/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-42204
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-42204
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42204

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-42204/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.