Claude collaboration tools left the door wide open to remote code execution
The Register
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Claude Code collaboration tools were found to have critical security vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to remotely execute code on users' machines and steal sensitive API keys. Researchers from Check Point Software identified three flaws in Anthropic's AI-powered coding tool, which could be exploited by injecting malicious configurations into repositories. These flaws, fixed by Anthropic after being reported, highlight a growing concern about the integration of AI tools into enterprise development workflows and the potential for configuration files to become new attack surfaces.
The first vulnerability involved abusing Claude's Hooks feature, which allows developers to define shell commands that execute at specific points in the tool's lifecycle. Since these hooks are stored in repository-controlled configuration files, any contributor with commit access could modify them to trigger malicious actions on other collaborators' machines without requiring explicit user approval. For example, researchers demonstrated how a hook could be configured to open a calculator app or execute more severe commands like downloading and running malicious payloads.
The second flaw exploited the Model Context Protocol (MCP) consent bypass mechanism. Claude integrates with external tools using MCP servers, which can also be configured in repository-controlled files. The researchers discovered that certain settings in these files could override user safeguards, allowing attackers to execute commands immediately upon opening a project. This vulnerability was demonstrated by exploiting it to remotely execute a reverse shell and gain full control over the victim's machine.
The third vulnerability, while not explicitly detailed, further underscores the risks associated with AI-enabled collaboration tools. Together, these flaws highlight the potential for supply chain attacks, where a single malicious commit in a shared repository could compromise multiple developers working on the same project. Check Point researchers emphasized that as enterprises increasingly adopt AI coding tools like Claude, they must prioritize securing configuration files and implementing robust user consent mechanisms to mitigate such risks.
This issue matters significantly to tech professionals and organizations relying on AI collaboration tools, as it exposes new attack vectors in the software development lifecycle. While Anthropic addressed these specific vulnerabilities, the broader implications for supply chain security and the potential misuse of AI-driven tools remain a pressing concern. As AI adoption continues to grow, developers and enterprises must remain vigilant about securing their configurations and understanding the risks associated with integrating such tools into their workflows.
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Originally published on The Register on 2/26/2026