Ghost: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
CVE-2026-29053 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in Ghost from TryGhost, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Ghost versions: >= 0.7.2, < 6.19.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 4.9% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 7.76% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Ghost you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.6 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Ghost is a Node.js content management system. From version 0.7.2 to 6.19.0, specifically crafted malicious themes can execute arbitrary code on the server running Ghost. This issue has been patched in version 6.19.1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
- Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.
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 vulnerabilities in Ghost
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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