CVE-2026-34070
Description
A flaw was found in LangChain. Multiple functions in langchain_core.prompts.loading read files from paths embedded in deserialized configuration dictionaries without validation for directory traversal or absolute path injection. When an application passes user-influenced prompt configurations to load_prompt() or load_prompt_from_config(), an attacker can read arbitrary files on the host filesystem.
Statement
This flaw is exploitable in applications that accept prompt configs from untrusted sources, including low-code AI builders and API wrappers that expose load_prompt_from_config().
Also, the affected functions (load_prompt, load_prompt_from_config and the .save() method on prompt classes) are undocumented legacy APIs. They are superseded by the dumpd/dumps/load/loads serialization APIs in langchain_core.load, which do not perform filesystem reads and use an allowlist-based security model.
An attacker who controls or influences the prompt configuration dictionary can read files outside the intended directory, such as cloud-mounted secrets, internal system prompts, cloud credentials, Kubernetes manifests, CI/CD configs and application settings.
Due to these reasons, this vulnerability has been rated with an important severity.
Mitigation
As described in the statement section, the vulnerable methods are legacy APIs and their use should be avoided. To mitigate this issue, the dumpd, dumps, load and loads methods from langchain_core.load should be used, as they supersede the legacy API and provide a more secure serialization model.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.5 | N/A | 7.5 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Frequently Asked Questions
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