virtual-engineering-workbench: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-119085 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in virtual-engineering-workbench from AWS, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version c146486cec41f5b04fae57e9ce1a7fb40e695615 as the first without the flaw, so updating virtual-engineering-workbench to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update virtual-engineering-workbench to c146486cec41f5b04fae57e9ce1a7fb40e695615 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on aws.amazon.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS | virtual-engineering-workbench | before c146486cec41f5b04fae57e9ce1a7fb40e695615 | c146486cec41f5b04fae57e9ce1a7fb40e695615 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.4 | Critical | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA |
Official description
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine in the publishing component of Amazon Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW) could allow a remote authenticated third party to run arbitrary code with the permissions of the publishing Lambda's IAM role. This could allow access to data and resources across all tenant projects. The code is reachable through a crafted CloudFormation template body containing template engine directives submitted through the product versioning API. To remediate this issue, users should redeploy from the latest version of awslabs/virtual-engineering-workbench.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
The product uses a template engine to insert or process externally-influenced input, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements or syntax that can be interpreted as template expressions or other code directives when processed by the engine.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a template engine that offers a sandbox or restricted mode, or at least limits the power of any available expressions, function calls, or commands.
- Use the template engine's sandbox or restricted mode, if available.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.5 High severity
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