CVE-2026-33938
Handlebars provides the power necessary to let users build semantic templates. In versions 4.0.0 through 4.7.8, the `@partial-block` special variable is stored in the template data context and is reachable and mutable from within a template via helpers that accept arbitrary objects. When a helper overwrites `@partial-block` with a crafted Handlebars AST, a subsequent invocation of `{{> @partial-block}}` compiles and executes that AST, enabling arbitrary JavaScript execution on the server. Version 4.7.9 fixes the issue. Some workarounds are available. First, use the runtime-only build (`require('handlebars/runtime')`). The `compile()` method is absent, eliminating the vulnerable fallback path. Second, audit registered helpers for any that write arbitrary values to context objects. Helpers should treat context data as read-only. Third, avoid registering helpers from third-party packages (such as `handlebars-helpers`) in contexts where templates or context data can be influenced by untrusted input.
EPSS 0.05% · 14.4th percentile
Risk Scores
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| handlebars-lang | handlebars.js | *, >= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9, >= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9 |
| npm | handlebars | 4.0.0, 4.0.0, 4.0.0 |
| handlebarsjs | handlebars | 4.0.0 |
Timeline
- Mar 27, 2026 CVE Published
- Mar 27, 2026 Coalition ESS Score
- Mar 27, 2026 PoC Published
- Mar 27, 2026 PoC Published
- Mar 27, 2026 PoC Published
- Mar 28, 2026 EPSS Score
- Mar 28, 2026 Security Advisory
- Apr 1, 2026 PoC Published
- May 18, 2026 EPSS Score
- May 19, 2026 EPSS Score
- May 20, 2026 EPSS Score
- May 21, 2026 EPSS Score
References
- https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/security/advisories/GHSA-3mfm-83xf-c92r url
- https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/commit/68d8df5a88e0a26fe9e6084c5c6aaebe67b07da2 url
- https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/releases/tag/v4.7.9 url
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33938 advisory
- https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js package
- https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-122032 advisory
- https://www.mongodb.com/docs/ops-manager/current/release-notes/application/#onprem-server-8.0.23 advisory
- https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-120668 advisory
- https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-122449 advisory
- https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-126021 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274185 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274154 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274180 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274183 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7273957 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274184 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274314 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274182 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7274181 advisory
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7273803 advisory
…and 1 more