CVE-2026-33938

Handlebars.js has JavaScript Injection via AST Type Confusion by tampering @partial-block

Published Mar 27, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-3mfm-83xf-c92r Handlebars.js has JavaScript Injection via AST Type Confusion by tampering @partial-block
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:handlebarsjs:handlebars:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Handlebarsjs
Handlebarsjs handlebars
Vendors & Products Handlebarsjs
Handlebarsjs handlebars
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title Handlebars.js has JavaScript Injection via AST Type Confusion by tampering @partial-block
Weaknesses CWE-843
CWE-94
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Sep 4, 2026, 12:04 PM
Reserved
Mar 24, 2026, 7:50 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Mar 27, 2026, 9:17 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 10:10 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Mar 27, 2026, 9:05 PM