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CVE Record

CVE-2026-33937: Handlebars.js has JavaScript Injection via AST Type Confusion

Handlebars provides the power necessary to let users build semantic templates. In versions 4.0.0 through 4.7.8, `Handlebars.compile()` accepts a pre-parsed AST object in addition to a template string. The `value` field of a `NumberLiteral` AST node is emitted directly into the generated JavaScript without quoting or sanitization. An attacker who can supply a crafted AST to `compile()` can therefore inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript, leading to Remote Code Execution on the server. Version 4.7.9 fixes the issue. Some workarounds are available. Validate input type before calling `Handlebars.compile()`; ensure the argument is always a `string`, never a plain object or JSON-deserialized value. Use the Handlebars runtime-only build (`handlebars/runtime`) on the server if templates are pre-compiled at build time; `compile()` will be unavailable.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Handlebars.js can turn a malicious pre-parsed template object into server-side JavaScript execution when vulnerable compile paths accept objects. Organizations using handlebars 4.0.0 through 4.7.8 should treat server-side template compilation of untrusted or JSON-deserialized input as urgent. The fixed release is 4.7.9.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation where handlebars is used in server-side rendering, template management, email generation, CMS workflows, or admin customization. The business risk is full server compromise if untrusted AST objects can reach compile().

Technical view

The issue is AST type confusion in Handlebars.compile(). A NumberLiteral node's value field is emitted into generated JavaScript without quoting or sanitization, enabling JavaScript injection if an attacker controls the AST object. CVSS is 9.8; listed CWEs are CWE-843 and CWE-94.

Likely exposure

Most exposed are Node.js services that call compile() on user-controlled, API-supplied, stored, or JSON-deserialized template data. Runtime-only deployments using precompiled templates and no server-side compile() are less likely exposed.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. Practical exploitation requires attacker influence over the object passed to compile(), not merely ordinary template string rendering.

Researcher notes

Focus analysis on data-flow into compile(), especially object inputs from JSON parsing or stored template definitions. Do not assume exposure from the package alone; the vulnerable condition depends on reachable server-side compilation of attacker-influenced AST objects.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade handlebars.js to version 4.7.9 or later.
  • Validate compile() input type and require a string.
  • Do not pass plain objects or JSON-deserialized values to compile().
  • Use handlebars/runtime on servers that only run precompiled templates.
  • Review Red Hat advisories for affected packaged products.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory direct and transitive handlebars.js versions.
  • Search code for Handlebars.compile() and compile() wrappers.
  • Confirm no request, database, or queue data reaches compile() as objects.
  • Check lockfiles and deployed artifacts for versions below 4.7.9.
  • Verify runtime-only deployments do not bundle server-side compile().
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
10

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-843: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-94: Code execution behavior lookup

Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-33937 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
2ADP providers
9Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: pocAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9GitHub_M
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-33937Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  3. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  4. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
redhat-SADPhandlebars.js: Handlebars: Remote Code Execution via crafted Abstract Syntax Tree object in compile()
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-03-27T22:02:50.619Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-03-27T21:03:46.748Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
handlebars-langhandlebars.js>= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-843CWE-94

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-843 · source CWE mapping

Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')

Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs
CWE-94 · source CWE mapping

Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs