CVE-2026-55540 PraisonAI: [Path Traversal] agent tools escape the configured workspace via symlinks
Attackers can read files outside the configured workspace by exploiting symlink handling in PraisonAI's path validation logic.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-55540?
CVE-2026-55540 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in MervinPraison PraisonAI, published on 25 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
PraisonAI is a multi-agent teams system. Prior to praisonai 4.6.51, is_path_within_directory() uses os.path.abspath() rather than os.path.realpath() for the workspace boundary. A symlink inside workspace can point outside and still pass the check, allowing read_file and other code tools to access files outside the configured workspace. This issue is fixed in version 4.6.58.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-55540?
3 open source packages ship an affected version, including praisonai and PraisonAI.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
praisonai PyPI | All versions | 4.6.58 |
praisonai PyPI | All versions | 4.6.58 |
PraisonAI PyPI | All versions | 4.6.58 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-55540?
Upgrade praisonai to 4.6.58 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-55540 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-55540 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-ch89-h4r2-c8f8, PYSEC-2026-3888.