# CVE-2026-54540: Pheditor OS command injection via terminal whitelist bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-54540-pheditor-os-command-injection-via-terminal-whitelist-bypass  
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-2026-54540 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-07-27

Pheditor is a web-based file manager and code editor. A security flaw in its terminal feature allows an authorized user to bypass command restrictions and run unauthorized commands on the underlying server. This could lead to a complete takeover of the web server, unauthorized access to sensitive files, or disruption of services.

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-2026-54540 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-54540 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-54540?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 27 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** pheditor/pheditor (Packagist) <= 2.0.4, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.0.5; Pheditor < 2.0.5, <= 2.0.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-54540?** Yes. pheditor/pheditor (Packagist): upgrade to 2.0.5 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-54540 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-54540?** 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 2.0.5 or later

  ```sh
  composer require pheditor/pheditor:^2.0.5
  ```


## Technical details

Pheditor's terminal feature implements a command allowlist by checking if a user-provided string starts with a permitted command (e.g., 'ls'). However, the application fails to sanitize shell metacharacters used for command substitution, such as '$()'. Because the entire unsanitized string is subsequently passed to the PHP 'shell_exec()' function, an authenticated attacker with terminal permissions can append malicious commands (e.g., 'ls$(whoami)') to a permitted prefix. This results in arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the web server user. The issue is fixed in version 2.0.5 by improving validation of shell metacharacters.

## Affected products

- pheditor Pheditor < 2.0.5

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-54540
- GHSA-9643-6xjp-vx57

## Timeline

- 2026-06-05: patched: Version 2.0.5 released to address the vulnerability.
- 2026-07-27: advisory: CVE-2026-54540 published.

## References

- [https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/releases/tag/2.0.5](https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/releases/tag/2.0.5)
- [https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/security/advisories/GHSA-9643-6xjp-vx57](https://github.com/pheditor/pheditor/security/advisories/GHSA-9643-6xjp-vx57)

## 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 in terminal handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48030-pheditor-os-command-injection-in-terminal-handler)
- [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)