CVE-2023-37273: Docker escape in Auto-GPT when running from docker-compose.yml included in git repo

Severity: high (CVSS 8.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2023-07-13 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-94

Description

Auto-GPT is an experimental open-source application showcasing the capabilities of the GPT-4 language model. Running Auto-GPT version prior to 0.4.3 by cloning the git repo and executing `docker compose run auto-gpt` in the repo root uses a different docker-compose.yml file from the one suggested in the official docker set up instructions. The docker-compose.yml file located in the repo root mounts itself into the docker container without write protection. This means that if malicious custom python code is executed via the `execute_python_file` and `execute_python_code` commands, it can overwrite the docker-compose.yml file and abuse it to gain control of the host system the next time Auto-GPT is started. The issue has been patched in version 0.4.3.

Affected products

Agpt Autogpt Classic: before 0.4.3 — fixed in 0.4.3

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Agpt Autogpt Classic 0.4.3. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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