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

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-8838-aws-amazon-redshift-python-driver-code-injection-in-vector-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-18. Updated: 2026-05-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/aws), [redshift-connector (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/redshift-connector). Vendors: [Amazon](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/amazon), [Amazon Web Services](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/amazon-web-services), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/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

  ```sh
  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

- [https://github.com/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/security/advisories/GHSA-29h4-r29x-hchv](https://github.com/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/security/advisories/GHSA-29h4-r29x-hchv)
- [https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/2026-033-aws](https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/2026-033-aws)
- [https://github.com/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/releases/tag/v2.1.14](https://github.com/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/releases/tag/v2.1.14)
- [https://api.github.com/repos/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/security-advisories/GHSA-29h4-r29x-hchv](https://api.github.com/repos/aws/amazon-redshift-python-driver/security-advisories/GHSA-29h4-r29x-hchv)

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