Code Injection in handlebars (CVE-2026-106446)
Summary
Code injection in handlebars (CVE-2026-106446). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. Exploitable via PathExpression. Mitigation: upgrade to 4.7.10 or later.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
Summary
Handlebars.compile() and Handlebars.precompile() accept a pre-parsed AST as well as a template string. Handlebars 4.7.9 added validation for such ASTs. It only checks values on PathExpression, NumberLiteral and BooleanLiteral nodes, and the compiler still writes several other AST values into the generated JavaScript unchecked.
If an application passes an untrusted object to compile() or precompile(), such as a parsed JSON request body, that object can carry arbitrary JavaScript. With compile(), the code runs on the server when the template renders. With precompile(), it ends up in the precompiled output and runs wherever that output is loaded.
Applications that only ever pass template strings are not affected.
This bypasses the AST validation added in 4.7.9 for GHSA-2w6w-674q-4c4q, GHSA-xhpv-hc6g-r9c6 and GHSA-3mfm-83xf-c92r.
Details
The 4.7.9 validator runs in parseWithoutProcessing() and walks the whole AST. It only checks values on nodes whose type is PathExpression, NumberLiteral or BooleanLiteral. It passes over plain objects without a type, and over strings and other non-object values. The compiler reads these values from other places and writes them into the generated code as-is:
| AST value | Written into generated code as | Compile options needed |
|---|---|---|
Program.blockParams.length |
container.program(, data, ) |
none (default options) |
depth on a param that is not a PathExpression, e.g.… |
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-106446 has been found in handlebars.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like PathExpression over the network to misuse the product.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 9.8/10.
What to do: upgrade handlebars to 4.7.10 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "handlebars CVE-2026-106446" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-106446 (handlebars) — CWE-94 / CVSS v3 9.8
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / unauthenticated / no user interaction
Attack surface: PathExpression / NumberLiteral / BooleanLiteral / type
Patched: 4.7.10 — apply immediately
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Arbitrary code execution (CWE-94) exists in handlebars. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via PathExpression without authentication.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of handlebars. Attack surface: PathExpression / NumberLiteral / BooleanLiteral / type.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to 4.7.10.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Run grep -r 'handlebars' . against your dependency files (package-lock.json, requirements.txt, go.sum) to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
grep -r 'handlebars' . | grep -v node_modulesリポジトリと本番環境の依存ファイル (package-lock.json / requirements.txt / go.sum / Gemfile.lock 等) で
handlebarsを grep し、稼働しているサービス・バージョンを把握する。 -
2Apply patch patch
Upgrade handlebars to 4.7.10ステージング環境で 4.7.10 に上げて回帰テスト → 本番反映。回帰テストはアプリの主要ハッピーパスを含めること。
-
3Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
References
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com