# CVE-2026-26216: unclecode Crawl4AI remote code execution in Docker API hooks

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-26216-unclecode-crawl4ai-remote-code-execution-in-docker-api-hooks  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-02-12. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-26216 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Published 2026-02-12

Crawl4AI is a tool used to crawl websites and extract data for AI applications. A security flaw in its Docker-based API allows anyone with network access to run malicious commands on the server without needing a password. This could lead to a total takeover of the server, theft of sensitive API keys, and unauthorized access to other systems on the internal network.

Technologies: [crawl4ai (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/crawl4ai). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-26216 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-26216 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-26216?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 12 February 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** crawl4ai (PyPI) < 0.8.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=0.8.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-26216?** Yes. crawl4ai (PyPI): upgrade to 0.8.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-26216 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-26216?** Check whether you run crawl4ai (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- crawl4ai (PyPI): upgrade to 0.8.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "crawl4ai>=0.8.0"
  ```


## Technical details

A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in the /crawl endpoint of Crawl4AI's Docker API deployment. The endpoint accepts a 'hooks' parameter containing Python code that is processed using the exec() function. While a sandbox was intended, the '__import__' builtin was explicitly allowed, enabling unauthenticated attackers to import the 'os' module and execute arbitrary system commands. This is classified as a code injection vulnerability (CWE-94). The issue is resolved in version 0.8.0 by removing '__import__' from the allowed builtins and disabling hooks by default via the CRAWL4AI_HOOKS_ENABLED environment variable.

## Affected products

- unclecode Crawl4AI < 0.8.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-26216
- GHSA-5882-5rx9-xgxp
- PYSEC-2026-33

## Timeline

- 2026-01-16: advisory: Vendor security advisory published on GitHub
- 2026-02-12: disclosed: CVE-2026-26216 published

## References

- [https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/blob/main/docs/blog/release-v0.8.0.md](https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/blob/main/docs/blog/release-v0.8.0.md)
- [https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-5882-5rx9-xgxp](https://github.com/unclecode/crawl4ai/security/advisories/GHSA-5882-5rx9-xgxp)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/crawl4ai-docker-api-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-via-hooks-parameter](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/crawl4ai-docker-api-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-via-hooks-parameter)

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- [Crawl4AI credential exfiltration in Docker API server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-56259-crawl4ai-credential-exfiltration-in-docker-api-server)
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