# CVE-2026-48030: Pheditor OS command injection in terminal handler

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48030-pheditor-os-command-injection-in-terminal-handler  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-27. Updated: 2026-07-27  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-48030 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.9 · Published 2026-07-27

Pheditor is a web-based tool used for managing and editing files directly on a server. A security flaw allows an authorized user to bypass built-in restrictions and run unauthorized commands on the underlying operating system. This could lead to a complete takeover of the web server, allowing attackers to steal data, delete files, or install malicious software.

Technologies: [pheditor/pheditor (Packagist)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pheditor-pheditor), [Pheditor](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pheditor). Vendors: [Packagist](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/packagist), [Pheditor](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pheditor).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-48030 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-48030 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-48030?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 27 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** pheditor/pheditor (Packagist) >= 2.0.1, <= 2.0.3, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.0.1,fixed=2.0.4; Pheditor >= 2.0.1, < 2.0.4, >= 2.0.1, <= 2.0.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-48030?** Yes. pheditor/pheditor (Packagist): upgrade to 2.0.4 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-48030 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-48030?** Check whether you run pheditor/pheditor (Packagist) or Pheditor 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

- pheditor/pheditor (Packagist): upgrade to 2.0.4 or later

  ```sh
  composer require pheditor/pheditor:^2.0.4
  ```


## Technical details

An OS Command Injection vulnerability exists in the terminal action handler of Pheditor due to improper sanitization of the 'dir' POST parameter. While the 'command' parameter is checked for shell metacharacters, the 'dir' parameter is passed directly into a shell_exec() call (e.g., 'cd ' . $dir . ' && ...'). An attacker with valid credentials and terminal permissions can inject shell metacharacters (like semicolons) into the 'dir' parameter to bypass the TERMINAL_COMMANDS whitelist and achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE). This allows for full system compromise under the context of the web server user (e.g., www-data). The issue is resolved in version 2.0.4 by implementing proper shell argument escaping.

## Affected products

- pheditor Pheditor >= 2.0.1, < 2.0.4

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-48030
- GHSA-jvc5-6g7q-c843

## Timeline

- 2026-05-20: patched: Version 2.0.4 released to fix the vulnerability.
- 2026-07-27: disclosed: CVE-2026-48030 published.

## References

- [https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/releases/tag/2.0.4](https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/releases/tag/2.0.4)
- [https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/security/advisories/GHSA-jvc5-6g7q-c843](https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/security/advisories/GHSA-jvc5-6g7q-c843)

## Related threats

- [Pheditor hardcoded default password in pheditor.php](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55579-pheditor-hardcoded-default-password-in-pheditor-php)
- [Pheditor OS command injection in terminal feature](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55578-pheditor-os-command-injection-in-terminal-feature)
- [Pheditor OS command injection via terminal whitelist bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-54540-pheditor-os-command-injection-via-terminal-whitelist-bypass)
- [Pheditor authentication bypass in forced password-change flow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/pheditor-authentication-bypass-in-forced-password-change-flow-b0aed4a4)
- [Pheditor RCE via terminal command allowlist bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/pheditor-rce-via-terminal-command-allowlist-bypass-3f72f746)