CVE-2026-45829: Chroma ChromaDB code injection in Python backend server

CVE-2026-45829 · Severity: critical · CVSS 4 · Published 2026-05-18

ChromaDB is an open-source vector database used to power AI applications by managing data for semantic search and machine learning models. A security flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server by submitting a specially crafted request to create a data collection. This could lead to a complete takeover of the database server, unauthorized access to sensitive AI training data, and disruption of services relying on the database.

Technologies: Chroma, chromadb (PyPI). Vendors: Chroma, PyPI.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-45829 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-45829 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-45829?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 18 May 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Chroma 1.0.0 through 1.5.8; chromadb (PyPI) >= 1.0.0, <= 1.5.9, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.0.0,last_affected=1.5.9.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-45829?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-45829 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-45829?
Check whether you run Chroma or chromadb (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.

Technical details

A code injection vulnerability exists in the Python backend of ChromaDB within the collection creation endpoint (/api/v2/tenants/{tenant}/databases/{db}/collections). The vulnerability occurs because the server instantiates user-controlled embedding function configurations before performing authentication or authorization checks. Specifically, the 'SentenceTransformerEmbeddingFunction' does not restrict the model source and allows the 'trust_remote_code' parameter to be passed via 'kwargs'. An attacker can exploit this by sending a request that points to a malicious HuggingFace model repository, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) when the server attempts to load the model. This affects the Python-based server implementation but not the Rust-based backend.

Affected products

  • ChromaDB chromadb >= 1.0.0, <= 1.5.9

Identifiers

  • CVE-2026-45829
  • GHSA-f4j7-r4q5-qw2c
  • PYSEC-2026-311

Timeline

  • 2025-11-28: disclosed: Initial report to vendor via email.
  • 2025-12-16: other: Vendor acknowledged receipt of report.
  • 2026-05-18: advisory: Public disclosure by HiddenLayer.
  • 2026-05-18: other: CVE-2026-45829 assigned.

References

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