CVE-2026-44590 Sherlock: Command Injection via pull_request_target in validate_modified_targets.yml
Attackers can execute arbitrary commands and steal tokens on CI runners via a malicious pull request in the Sherlock project's GitHub Actions workflow.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-44590?
CVE-2026-44590 is a critical command injection vulnerability in sherlock-project sherlock, published on 27 May 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Sherlock hunts down social media accounts by username across social networks. Prior to 0.16.1, the GitHub Actions workflow validate_modified_targets.yml is vulnerable to command injection via the pull_request_target trigger. Any GitHub user can execute arbitrary commands on the CI runner and exfiltrate the GITHUB_TOKEN by opening a pull request. No approval, review, or merge is required. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.16.1.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-44590?
How do I fix CVE-2026-44590?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-44590 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-44590 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-44590 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as UBUNTU-CVE-2026-44590.