CVE-2026-100406: dbt: Unauthenticated Arbitrary SQL Execution in `dbt docs serve`

What it is

dbt enables data analysts and engineers to transform their data using the same practices that software engineers use to build applications. From 2.0.0-alpha.0 until 2.0.0-alpha.5, dbt docs serve exposes the unauthenticated POST /api/v1/query endpoint in crates/dbt-docs-server/src/handlers/query.rs, which passes caller-supplied SQL to DuckDbViewsBackend::query_arrow() in crates/dbt-index-core/src/backend.rs without authorization or an allowlist. A client that can reach the server can invoke DuckDB filesystem-reading functions to read files available to the dbt process, including files outside the docs index directory. The server binds to localhost by default, but operators can expose it to a network through the host option or DBT_DOCS_HOST setting. This issue is fixed in version 2.0.0-alpha.5.

Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by GitHub_M, published 2026-10-14).

Weakness: CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (‘Path Traversal’); CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor; CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function

How it can be exploited

Exploitable over the network with low attack complexity only when specific conditions are present needing no privileges and no user interaction. Impact: confidentiality high, integrity none, availability none. CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CISA assessment (SSVC): CISA assesses that a public proof of concept exists. Automatable: yes. Technical impact: partial.

Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)

Exploit Observer found 5 code repositories naming this CVE.

Code repositories that name a CVE are often scanners, copies or fakes, and some are malware. Read the code before running anything.

See all 7 references on Exploit Observer

Live scores

EPSS

0.004
low predicted chance of attack

VEDAS

0.985
strong exploit evidence

On CISA KEV

Not listed

Detection rule

Nuclei · Suricata

Who is affected

Version ranges exactly as the CVE record states them. “Before X” means X is the first fixed version.

How to fix it

No fixed version or vendor advisory is listed in the CVE record yet. Watch the vendor’s security page.

How to detect it

Nuclei template (active check)

Dbt - Unauthenticated SQL Query Execution

dbt docs serve (dbt 2.0.0-alpha.0 through 2.0.0-alpha.4) exposes an unauthenticated POST /api/v1/query endpoint in dbt-docs-server that forwards caller-supplied SQL directly to the DuckDB backend (DuckDbViewsBackend::query_arrow) with no authorization or allowlist. A remote client that can reach the server can execute arbitrary SQL, including DuckDB filesystem-reading functions to read files accessible to the dbt process. This template submits a benign arithmetic query and confirms the unauthenticated execution path from the server’s distinctive result envelope.

Name and description quoted from the template, written by VEDAS.

The template sends 1 request (POST /api/v1/query); it decides using status, word matchers. Severity in the template: high. Marked as not yet verified against a live vulnerable target.

Run it against a host you own or are authorised to test:

nuclei -u https://your-host -t CVE-2026-100406.yaml

id: CVE-2026-100406

info:
  name: "Dbt - Unauthenticated SQL Query Execution"
  author: vedas-arpsyndicate
  severity: high
  description: |
    dbt docs serve (dbt 2.0.0-alpha.0 through 2.0.0-alpha.4) exposes an unauthenticated
    POST /api/v1/query endpoint in dbt-docs-server that forwards caller-supplied SQL
    directly to the DuckDB backend (DuckDbViewsBackend::query_arrow) with no authorization
    or allowlist. A remote client that can reach the server can execute arbitrary SQL,
    including DuckDB filesystem-reading functions to read files accessible to the dbt
    process. This template submits a benign arithmetic query and confirms the unauthenticated
    execution path from the server's distinctive result envelope.
  reference:
    - https://www.exploit.observer/?keyword=CVE-2026-100406&match=exact
    - https://subdomain.center/?engine=ammonites&keyword=dbt&match=exact
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
    cvss-score: 7.5
    cve-id: CVE-2026-100406
    cwe-id: CWE-862
  metadata:
    verified: false
  tags: cve,cve2026,dbt,sqli,auth-bypass
http:
  - raw:
      - |
        POST /api/v1/query HTTP/1.1
        Host: {{Hostname}}
        Content-Type: application/json

        {"sql":"SELECT 31337*1337 AS vedas"}

    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: word
        part: body
        words:
          - "41897569"
          - "row_count"
          - "elapsed_ms"
        condition: and
      - type: word
        part: header
        words:
          - "application/json"
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200

CVE-2026-100406.yaml on GitHub

Suricata rules (network detection)

1 rule that alert on traffic matching this exploit: VEDAS CVE-2026-100406 Dbt - Unauthenticated SQL Query Execution. Add them to your Suricata rule set and reload.

alert http $EXTERNAL_NET any -> $HTTP_SERVERS $HTTP_PORTS (msg:"VEDAS CVE-2026-100406 Dbt - Unauthenticated SQL Query Execution"; flow:established,to_server; http.method; content:"POST"; http.uri; content:"/api/v1/query"; nocase; fast_pattern; http.request_body; content:"\"sql\""; nocase; classtype:web-application-attack; reference:cve,CVE-2026-100406; reference:url,https://www.exploit.observer/?keyword=CVE-2026-100406&match=exact; reference:url,https://subdomain.center/?engine=ammonites&keyword=dbt&match=exact; sid:1085000; rev:1;)

CVE-2026-100406.rules on GitHub

References

Other references

• https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt/security/advisories/GHSA-h2j2-2r7g-rff8 (x_refsource_CONFIRM)
• https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt/commit/3a5d26fe02b58382720d04cbd87143b7b6775413 (x_refsource_MISC)
• https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt/releases/tag/v2.0.0-alpha.5 (x_refsource_MISC)

Other databases

• CVE record (cve.org)
• NVD
• Exploit Observer

Where this comes from

This advisory is generated automatically by VEDAS from: CVE.org record, cve-scores (EPSS and VEDAS), Exploit Observer, vedas-signatures. Text in quotes is reproduced from the source; everything else is a fixed template filled with source fields. Nothing here is written by a language model. Check the vendor advisory before acting, and read how VEDAS and Exploit Observer work, and their limits.