CVE-2026-33938

01/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.

02/Affected products

handlebarsjs: handlebars

03/References9

• github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/security/advisories/GH… ExploitVendor Advisory
• github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/security/advisories/GH… ExploitVendor Advisory
• github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/commit/68d8df5a88e0a26… Patch
• github.com/handlebars-lang/handlebars.js/releases/tag/v4.7.9 Release Notes
• access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10175
• access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:34342
• access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-33938
• bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2452525
• security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-33938…