quarkus-qute: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-12894 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in quarkus-qute from Quarkus, 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 versions 3.27.5.SP1, 3.33.3.SP1 as the first without the flaw, so updating quarkus-qute to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.97% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update quarkus-qute to 3.27.5.SP1 or 3.33.3.SP1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarkus | quarkus-qute | 3.27.0 up to, but not including, 3.27.5.SP1; 3.33.0 up to, but not including, 3.33.3.SP1 | 3.27.5.SP1, 3.33.3.SP1 |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Build of Apache Camel 3.33.3.SP1 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Quarkus 3.27.5.SP1 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Quarkus 3.33.3.SP1 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Apache Camel 4 for Quarkus 3 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform Expansion Pack | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
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 (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw was found in the Qute template engine, which is used by Quarkus to generate dynamic content like HTML pages or emails. The issue exists in the component responsible for looking up data values (ReflectionValueResolver), which fails to properly block access to sensitive Java internal functions when processing certain data types like Enums. An attacker who can provide or influence the template text can exploit this bypass to take control of the server by executing unauthorized commands.
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
Other references
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.5 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
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