VDB

CVE-2026-33938

CVE-2026-33938 PUBLISHED CVSS 8.100000381469727 HIGH

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

CVSS v3.1
8.100000381469727
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score
0.05%
14.4th percentile

Affected Products

VendorProductVersions
handlebars-langhandlebars.js*, >= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9, >= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9
npmhandlebars4.0.0, 4.0.0, 4.0.0
handlebarsjshandlebars4.0.0

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
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