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.
Published: 2026-03-27
Score: 8.1 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Arbitrary JavaScript Execution on Server
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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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

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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


Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:handlebarsjs:handlebars:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Handlebarsjs
Handlebarsjs handlebars
Vendors & Products Handlebarsjs
Handlebarsjs handlebars

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-917
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important


Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:15:00 +0000

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'}


Subscriptions

Handlebarsjs Handlebars
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-01T03:55:42.796Z

Reserved: 2026-03-24T19:50:52.103Z

Link: CVE-2026-33938

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-31T19:08:38.425Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Modified

Published: 2026-03-27T21:17:27.587

Modified: 2026-03-31T20:16:27.767

Link: CVE-2026-33938

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-03-27T21:05:42Z

Links: CVE-2026-33938 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-03-31T20:00:40Z

Weaknesses