CVE-2026-21852
Claude Code Leaks Data via Malicious Environment Configuration Before Trust Confirmation
Description
Claude Code is an agentic coding tool. Prior to version 2.0.65, vulnerability in Claude Code's project-load flow allowed malicious repositories to exfiltrate data including Anthropic API keys before users confirmed trust. An attacker-controlled repository could include a settings file that sets ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to an attacker-controlled endpoint and when the repository was opened, Claude Code would read the configuration and immediately issue API requests before showing the trust prompt, potentially leaking the user's API keys. Users on standard Claude Code auto-update have received this fix already. Users performing manual updates are advised to update to version 2.0.65, which contains a patch, or to the latest version.
INFO
Published Date :
Jan. 21, 2026, 9:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Feb. 2, 2026, 3:04 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Claude Code to version 2.0.65.
- Use the latest version for enhanced security.
- Avoid opening untrusted repositories.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-21852 has a 20 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-21852.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/security/advisories/GHSA-jh7p-qr78-84p7 | Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-21852 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-21852
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
OWASP Foundation web repository
Ruby HTML Shell
A awesome curated list of security resources, hardening tools, threat research, and governance frameworks specifically for Claude Code
agentic-security ai-security anthropic awesome-list claude-code llm-security mcp-security prompt-injection claude-code-security claude-security
AI Agent Security Middleware — 8-layer defense, DLP data flow, prompt injection detection, zero dependencies. SDK + OpenClaw plugin.
openclaw prompt-injection security ai-agent ai-security llm-security shellward pii-detection agent-security cursor data-exfiltration dlp guardrails langchain ai-firewall ai-safety claude-code mcp mcp-security runtime-security
PowerShell Shell TypeScript JavaScript
None
29 detection rules for AI agent threats across 9 attack categories. Like Sigma, but for prompt injection, tool poisoning, MCP attacks, and skill compromise. RFC status.
agent-security ai-security llm-security mcp-security open-source prompt-injection sigma-rules threat-detection
TypeScript
Scan cloned repos for malicious AI agent configs before you open them
JavaScript TypeScript
Static analysis for AI agent diffs — catches scope drift, secret leaks, test regressions, and more
ai ci-cd cli code-review coding-agents developer-tools github-actions linter python static-analysis
Python Shell
CodeGate is a pre-flight security scanner for AI coding tool configs (MCP, plugins, rules, hooks, and settings), detecting malicious intent before execution with layered static and deep analysis.
JavaScript TypeScript Shell
Claude Code Vulnerability [CVE-2026-21852]
None
Python
None
Invisible sensitive data filter for LLM APIs. Secrets, credentials, and PII replaced with plausible fakes. Rust. Sub-millisecond.
Rust
Secrets management built for AI agents
ai credential-management developer-tools devops security
Makefile Go Shell Python
None
JavaScript PowerShell Shell Python
None
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-21852 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
-
TheCyberThrone
Claude Code Security vs. OpenAI Codex Security – AI Arms Race
A Technical Comparison for AppSec Engineers | March 2026TL;DRBoth tools launched within two weeks of each other in early 2026. Both use LLM-driven reasoning to find and patch vulnerabilities beyond wh ... Read more
-
CybersecurityNews
Claude Code Hacked to Achieve Full RCE and Hijacked Organization API keys
Claude Code Hacked RCE Hijacked Organization API keys Critical vulnerabilities in Anthropic’s Claude Code, an AI-powered command-line development tool. The flaws could allow attackers to achieve Remot ... Read more
-
CybersecurityNews
Critical Claude Code Vulnerabilities Enables Remote Code Execution Attacks
Claude Code Vulnerabilities A critical security flaw in Anthropic’s Claude Code demonstrates how threat actors can exploit repository configuration files to execute malicious code and steal sensitive ... Read more
-
The Register
Claude collaboration tools left the door wide open to remote code execution
Security vulnerabilities in Claude Code could have allowed attackers to remotely execute code on users' machines and steal API keys by injecting malicious configurations into repositories, and then wa ... Read more
-
The Hacker News
Claude Code Flaws Allow Remote Code Execution and API Key Exfiltration
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed multiple security vulnerabilities in Anthropic's Claude Code, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered coding assistant, that could result in remote code execut ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-21852 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Feb. 02, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:anthropic:claude_code:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2.0.65 Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/security/advisories/GHSA-jh7p-qr78-84p7 Types: Vendor Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jan. 21, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Claude Code is an agentic coding tool. Prior to version 2.0.65, vulnerability in Claude Code's project-load flow allowed malicious repositories to exfiltrate data including Anthropic API keys before users confirmed trust. An attacker-controlled repository could include a settings file that sets ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to an attacker-controlled endpoint and when the repository was opened, Claude Code would read the configuration and immediately issue API requests before showing the trust prompt, potentially leaking the user's API keys. Users on standard Claude Code auto-update have received this fix already. Users performing manual updates are advised to update to version 2.0.65, which contains a patch, or to the latest version. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CWE CWE-522 Added Reference https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/security/advisories/GHSA-jh7p-qr78-84p7