document-merge-service: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-53964 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in document-merge-service from Adfinis, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected document-merge-service versions: < 9.1.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% 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
- Check which version of document-merge-service 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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adfinis | document-merge-service | < 9.1.0 | 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
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- 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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Document Merge Service is a document template merge service providing an API to manage templates and merge them with given data. Prior to version 9.1.0, a remote code execution (RCE) via server-side template injection (SSTI) allows for user supplied code to be executed in the server's context where it is executed as the document-merge-server user with the UID 901 thus giving an attacker considerable control over the container. The vulnerability is limited to XLSX templates, were the xltpl library uses a npn-sandboxed Jinja environment for the processing of the template. This issue has been patched in version 9.1.0.
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
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in document-merge-service
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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