CVE-2026-33938: handlebars-lang handlebars.js Code Injection

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-33938 is a high (CVSS 8.1) Code Injection vulnerability in handlebars-lang handlebars.js. EPSS estimates a 0.84% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 57.2% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 27-03-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 04-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
• CWE-843Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')The product allocates or initializes a resource such as a pointer, object, or variable using one type, but it later accesses that resource using a type that is incompatible with the original type.
• CWE-917Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')The product constructs all or part of an expression language (EL) statement in a framework such as a Java Server Page (JSP) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended EL statement before it is executed.