# CVE-2026-9369: NousResearch hermes-agent incorrect comparison in web_server.py

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-9369-nousresearch-hermes-agent-incorrect-comparison-in-web-server-py  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-24. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-9369 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-05-24

NousResearch hermes-agent is a tool used for managing AI agents and their web-based dashboards. A security flaw allows malicious code to run on a user's computer if they open a compromised project folder, even if they have explicitly disabled plugin support in their settings. This could allow an attacker to gain control over the user's local environment and access sensitive data.

Technologies: [NousResearch Hermes Agent](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/hermes-agent), [hermes-agent (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pypi-hermes-agent). Vendors: [NousResearch](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/nousresearch), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-9369 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-9369 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-9369?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 24 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** NousResearch Hermes Agent 2026.4.23; hermes-agent (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=0.15.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-9369?** Yes. hermes-agent (PyPI): upgrade to 0.15.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-9369 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-9369?** Check whether you run NousResearch Hermes Agent or hermes-agent (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

- hermes-agent (PyPI): upgrade to 0.15.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "hermes-agent>=0.15.0"
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in the `_discover_dashboard_plugins` function within `hermes_cli/web_server.py` due to an incorrect comparison of the `HERMES_ENABLE_PROJECT_PLUGINS` environment variable. The application uses `os.environ.get()` instead of a boolean-aware utility, causing non-empty strings like "false" or "0" to be evaluated as truthy. An attacker can exploit this by placing a malicious `manifest.json` and Python payload within a repository's `.hermes/plugins/` directory. When a user starts the web dashboard (`hermes --web`) while inside the malicious repository, the agent automatically imports and executes the attacker's code. This bypasses intended security opt-out configurations and leads to local code execution. The issue is addressed in version 0.15.0.

## Affected products

- NousResearch hermes-agent < 0.15.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-9369
- GHSA-cv5c-mh6j-wvp9
- PYSEC-2026-2512

## Timeline

- 2026-04-24: disclosed: Initial discovery and PoC report created
- 2026-05-24: advisory: NVD publication of CVE-2026-9369
- 2026-05-26: advisory: GitHub Advisory published
- 2026-06-30: patched: GitHub Advisory updated with patch information

## References

- [https://gist.github.com/YLChen-007/062b77ceac6aa9844842a616f5d2ef30](https://gist.github.com/YLChen-007/062b77ceac6aa9844842a616f5d2ef30)
- [https://vuldb.com/submit/812230](https://vuldb.com/submit/812230)
- [https://vuldb.com/vuln/365332](https://vuldb.com/vuln/365332)
- [https://vuldb.com/vuln/365332/cti](https://vuldb.com/vuln/365332/cti)
- [https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/commit/09f85f2cf79362a2f7963754b49a44cb3d234176](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/commit/09f85f2cf79362a2f7963754b49a44cb3d234176)

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