# CVE-2026-42088: OpenC3 COSMOS privilege escalation via Script Runner API bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42088-openc3-cosmos-privilege-escalation-via-script-runner-api-bypass  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-04. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42088 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2026-05-04

OpenC3 COSMOS is a platform used to control and receive data from embedded systems, such as satellites or industrial hardware. A security flaw in the Script Runner tool allows users with basic script-running permissions to bypass security checks and perform administrative actions. This could allow an attacker to steal sensitive secrets, modify system settings, or tamper with critical configuration and log files, potentially compromising the entire command and control infrastructure.

Technologies: [Openc3 Cosmos](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/cosmos), [openc3 (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pypi-openc3), [openc3 (RubyGems)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openc3). Vendors: [Openc3](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openc3), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi), [RubyGems](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/rubygems).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42088 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42088 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42088?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 4 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Openc3 Cosmos < 7.0.0-rc3; openc3 (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=7.0.0; openc3 (RubyGems) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=7.0.0-rc3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42088?** Yes. openc3 (PyPI): upgrade to 7.0.0 or later; openc3 (RubyGems): upgrade to 7.0.0-rc3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-42088 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42088?** Check whether you run Openc3 Cosmos, openc3 (PyPI) or openc3 (RubyGems) 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

- openc3 (PyPI): upgrade to 7.0.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "openc3>=7.0.0"
  ```

- openc3 (RubyGems): upgrade to 7.0.0-rc3 or later

  ```sh
  bundle update openc3
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability in the Script Runner widget of OpenC3 COSMOS (prior to version 7.0.0-rc3) allows users to execute Python and Ruby scripts within the 'openc3-COSMOS-script-runner-api' container. Because the Docker containers share a common network, an authenticated attacker can use specially crafted scripts to bypass API permission checks. This grants direct access to internal services such as the Redis database (used for secrets and settings) and the buckets service (used for configuration, logs, and plugins). The flaw is categorized as CWE-250 (Execution with Unnecessary Privileges) and allows a low-privileged user to escalate to administrative control. The issue has been addressed in version 7.0.0-rc3 and the final 7.0.0 release.

## Affected products

- OpenC3 COSMOS < 7.0.0-rc3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-42088
- GHSA-2wvh-87g2-89hr
- PYSEC-2026-2245

## Timeline

- 2026-03-06: patched: Version 7.0.0-rc3 released
- 2026-03-26: patched: Version 7.0.0 final released
- 2026-04-20: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-05-04: disclosed: CVE published to NVD

## References

- [https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/releases/tag/v7.0.0](https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/releases/tag/v7.0.0)
- [https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/releases/tag/v7.0.0-rc3](https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/releases/tag/v7.0.0-rc3)
- [https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/security/advisories/GHSA-2wvh-87g2-89hr](https://github.com/OpenC3/cosmos/security/advisories/GHSA-2wvh-87g2-89hr)

## Related threats

- [OpenC3 COSMOS authenticated remote code execution via config overlay](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77602-openc3-cosmos-authenticated-remote-code-execution-via-config)
- [OpenC3 COSMOS provides the functionality needed to send commands to and receive data from one or more embedded systems. From 5.12.0 until 7.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77601-openc3-cosmos-authenticated-os-command-injection-via-pypi-url)
- [OpenC3 COSMOS stored cross-user XSS in BUTTON widget](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77394-openc3-cosmos-stored-cross-user-xss-in-button-widget)
- [OpenC3 COSMOS SQL injection in QuestDB Time-Series Database](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42087-openc3-cosmos-sql-injection-in-questdb-time-series-database)
- [OpenC3 COSMOS Self-XSS in Command Sender](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42086-openc3-cosmos-self-xss-in-command-sender)