formie: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-52889 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in formie from Verbb, 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 formie versions: < 3.1.27. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 70% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of formie 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 CNA (github.com).
Official description
Formie is a Craft CMS plugin for creating forms. Prior to 3.1.27, Formie can pass request-derived Hidden field defaults such as HTTP User Agent, Referer URL, Current URL, Current URL without Query String, Query Parameter, and Cookie Value to Craft's Twig rendering layer during front-end form rendering. An unauthenticated attacker can place Twig syntax in one of these request-controlled inputs when a public form contains an affected Hidden field. Hidden::getFrontEndInputOptions() then assigns the value to defaultValue and calls renderString, causing server-side template evaluation rather than treating the request data as a plain string. Depending on the Craft site configuration and available Twig capabilities, exploitation can disclose sensitive information, modify application state, or achieve remote code execution. This issue is fixed in version 3.1.27.
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: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in formie
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.