CVE-2026-78635 Improper Input Validation in the Okta Privileged Access SSH Client URL Handler Argument
Attackers can manipulate SSH client behavior via crafted URL arguments, potentially leading to code execution or security bypasses in Okta Privileged Access.
- 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
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-78635?
CVE-2026-78635 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in Okta Privileged Access Client, published on 8 Sep 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
The Okta Privileged Access client URL handler does not insert an option terminator before appending the target value to the command-line arguments. When a scaleft:// protocol handler link contains a value beginning with a hyphen, the underlying CLI framework interprets it as a command-line flag, causing unintended modification of the SSH client's behavior.
Weakness: CWE-88
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-78635?
How do I fix CVE-2026-78635?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-78635 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-2026-78635 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-78635 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-wf33-c5j5-v44h.