Description
Phi 0.3.0 through 0.28.4 contains a permission bypass vulnerability that allows spawned sub-agents to escape workspace_only_writes and readonly mode by supplying an unchecked workdir to agent_spawn. Attackers can plant prompt-injected instructions in processed content so the agent spawns a worker rooted elsewhere, causing unapproved file writes anywhere the user can write.
Metrics
CVSS 3.1 5.3/10
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:NWeakness enumeration
Affected software
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| pulseaiclub | phi | >= 0.3.0, <= 0.28.4 |
References
- https://github.com/pulseaiclub/phi
- https://github.com/pulseaiclub/phi/blob/5b3cb440a7c58115ef64283a737a43299f2805a4/internal/agent/engine_runner.go#L52-L60
- https://github.com/pulseaiclub/phi/blob/5b3cb440a7c58115ef64283a737a43299f2805a4/internal/tools/agenttool/agent.go#L106-L120
- https://hackmd.io/@haind/phi-subagent-workdir-workspace-escape
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/phi-0.3.0-through-0.28.4-permission-bypass-via-agent-spawn-workdir
- https://hackmd.io/@haind/phi-subagent-workdir-workspace-escape
Timeline
- Published
- Oct 10, 2026
- Last modified
- Oct 16, 2026
- NVD status
- Deferred