CVE-2026-8838: AWS amazon-redshift-python-driver code injection in vector_in

CVE-2026-8838 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-05-18

The official Python driver for Amazon Redshift contains a vulnerability that allows for remote code execution on the computer running the driver. If an application using this driver connects to a malicious server or is intercepted by an attacker, the attacker can execute commands, steal credentials, or access files on the client system. This poses a significant risk to any application or developer environment that interacts with Redshift databases using the affected library.

Technologies: Amazon AWS, redshift-connector (PyPI). Vendors: Amazon, Amazon Web Services, PyPI.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-8838 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-8838 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-8838?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 18 May 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Amazon Web Services Redshift-Python-Driver <=2.1.13; redshift-connector (PyPI) <= 2.1.13, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.1.14.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-8838?
Yes. redshift-connector (PyPI): upgrade to 2.1.14 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-8838 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-8838?
Check whether you run Amazon AWS, Amazon Web Services Redshift-Python-Driver or redshift-connector (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

  • redshift-connector (PyPI): upgrade to 2.1.14 or later
    pip install "redshift-connector>=2.1.14"

Technical details

A code injection vulnerability exists in the amazon-redshift-python-driver (redshift-connector) due to the unsafe use of the Python eval() function within the vector_in() component. When the driver processes query results from a server, it fails to sufficiently validate the incoming data before evaluation. An attacker capable of acting as a rogue server or performing a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack on the PostgreSQL wire protocol can send crafted responses to trigger arbitrary code execution within the context of the client application. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-8838 and is resolved in version 2.1.14.

Affected products

  • AWS redshift-connector <= 2.1.13

Identifiers

  • CVE-2026-8838
  • GHSA-29h4-r29x-hchv
  • PYSEC-2026-521

Timeline

  • 2026-05-18: disclosed: Initial disclosure by AWS and NVD
  • 2026-05-18: patched: Version 2.1.14 released
  • 2026-05-29: advisory: GitHub Advisory published/reviewed

References

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