High severity · published Mar 27, 2026
CVE-2026-33938
Handlebars.js has JavaScript Injection via AST Type Confusion by tampering @partial-block
8.1
CVSS
0.7%
EPSS
No
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.7% · higher than 54% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
HA
handlebars.js · handlebars-lang
>= 4.0.0, < 4.7.9 · source: vendor
HA
Handlebars · Handlebarsjs
4.0.0 before 4.7.9 · source: NVD
CO
Cluster Observability Operator 1.5.0 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
LS
Logging Subsystem for Red Hat OpenShift · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Developer Hub · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat OpenShift Dev Spaces 3.27 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33938
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-33938
Patch
https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/commit/68d8df5a88e0a26fe9e6084c5c6aaebe67b07da2
Release Notes
https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/releases/tag/v4.7.9
Exploit
https://github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/security/advisories/GHSA-3mfm-83xf-c92r
access.redhat.com
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10175
access.redhat.com
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:34342
access.redhat.com
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-33938
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