CVE-2026-24780 – AutoGPT Platform
Vulnerability Overview
CVE ID: CVE-2026-24780
Affected Product: AutoGPT Platform
Vulnerability Type: Remote Code Execution (RCE)
Severity: High
CVSS Score: Approximately 9.4 (High)
Attack Complexity: Low to Moderate
Privileges Required: Authenticated access
User Interaction: None
Exploit Availability: No publicly released exploit code; exploitation is feasible using known behavior
Patch Status: Fixed in autogpt-platform-beta-v0.6.44 and later
Official Patch / Upgrade Link:
https://github.com/Significant-Gravitas/AutoGPT/releases/tag/autogpt-platform-beta-v0.6.44
Executive Summary
A remote code execution vulnerability was identified in the AutoGPT Platform where disabled internal blocks could still be executed through exposed API endpoints. One of these disabled blocks contains logic that writes Python code to disk and executes it within the application runtime. Due to missing validation checks, authenticated users could invoke this block and execute arbitrary code on the server.
If exploited, this issue could result in full compromise of the affected AutoGPT instance, including access to sensitive data, credentials, and the underlying operating system or container environment.
Technical Description
AutoGPT uses a modular architecture where functionality is implemented as discrete “blocks.” Each block has a configuration state, including a disabled flag that is intended to prevent execution when set.
Multiple API endpoints are responsible for executing these blocks by referencing their unique identifiers (UUIDs). Prior to the fixed version, these execution paths failed to validate whether the requested block was marked as disabled.
A specific internal block, commonly referred to as an installation block, is capable of:
- Writing Python source files to the filesystem
- Importing and executing the written code within the running process
Because the disabled status of this block was ignored, an authenticated attacker could call the execution endpoint with the known UUID and achieve arbitrary Python execution on the server.
Exploitation Scenario
The following conditions would allow exploitation:
- An AutoGPT instance is running a vulnerable version.
- The attacker has authenticated access. In many self-hosted deployments, user self-registration is enabled by default.
- The attacker sends a crafted POST request to the block execution API endpoint, referencing the UUID of the disabled installation block.
- The server executes the block without validating its disabled state.
- Arbitrary Python code is written to disk and executed.
This results in remote code execution with the privileges of the AutoGPT application process.
Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to:
- Execute system commands
- Read or modify application configuration and secrets
- Access connected databases and APIs
- Establish persistent backdoors
- Pivot laterally to other systems in the environment
The impact is considered severe because it leads to full system compromise.
Proof of Concept Status
No publicly available proof-of-concept exploit has been released. However, exploitation is considered straightforward for knowledgeable attackers due to:
- The predictability of the block execution API
- The availability of the block UUID in the source code
- The absence of required bypass techniques
Any proof-of-concept development or testing should be performed strictly for educational or authorized security assessment purposes.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
- Initial Access: Valid Accounts (T1078)
- Execution: Command and Scripting Interpreter – Python (T1059.006)
- Impact: Remote Code Execution leading to full system compromise
- Post-Exploitation: Persistence, Credential Access, Discovery, and Lateral Movement are all possible
Detection and Monitoring Guidance
Detection should focus on both application-level and host-level telemetry.
Indicators of Exploitation
- POST requests to block execution endpoints referencing unexpected or system-level block UUIDs
- Execution of blocks that are configured as disabled
- Creation of new Python files within the AutoGPT runtime directories
- Python processes importing newly created modules
- Sudden spikes in authenticated API activity, especially from newly created accounts
Relevant Log Sources
- Web server access and error logs
- AutoGPT application logs
- Container runtime logs, if applicable
- Operating system audit logs
- Filesystem monitoring logs
- Database audit logs for block configuration changes
Detection Rules
Splunk Query
index=web_logs
method=POST
("/api/blocks/" OR "/external-api/v1/blocks/")
| regex uri_path="/.*blocks/.*/execute"
| stats count by src_ip, user, uri_path
Elasticsearch / Kibana
http.request.method: "POST" AND
(http.request.uri: "/api/blocks/*/execute" OR
http.request.uri: "/external-api/v1/blocks/*/execute")
Sigma Rule Concept
title: AutoGPT Disabled Block Execution
detection:
selection:
HttpMethod: POST
Url|contains: "blocks"
Url|contains: "execute"
condition: selection
level: high
Host-Based Detection
- Monitor for file creation events involving
.pyfiles in application directories - Correlate file creation with Python import or execution events
- Alert on Python processes loading unexpected modules
Mitigation and Hardening Recommendations
- Upgrade immediately to the fixed version.
- Disable public user registration if not required.
- Restrict access to block execution endpoints using network controls.
- Enforce least-privilege execution for the AutoGPT runtime.
- Implement alerting for suspicious API calls and filesystem changes.
- Rotate credentials if exploitation is suspected.
Patch and Remediation
This issue is fully addressed by upgrading to the vendor-provided fixed version.
Official Patch / Upgrade:
https://github.com/Significant-Gravitas/AutoGPT/releases/tag/autogpt-platform-beta-v0.6.44
Incident Response Considerations
If exploitation is suspected:
- Isolate the affected system
- Preserve logs and filesystem state for analysis
- Search for unauthorized files and scheduled tasks
- Rotate all secrets accessible to the application
- Rebuild the system from a trusted image after patching
Final Takeaway
CVE-2026-24780 represents a critical design oversight in block execution validation within the AutoGPT Platform. The lack of disabled-state enforcement on execution endpoints exposed a powerful internal block capable of executing arbitrary code. Applying the official patch and strengthening monitoring controls are essential to preventing exploitation and detecting abuse.
