CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-89094NVD status: Deferred

Forgejo: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-89094 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in Forgejo, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 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 16.0.4, 15.0.8 as the first without the flaw, so updating Forgejo to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.85% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 59% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update Forgejo to 16.0.4 or 15.0.8, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ForgejoForgejo16.0.0 up to, but not including, 16.0.4; before 15.0.816.0.4, 15.0.8

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
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
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:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (mitre.org).

Official description

Forgejo before 16.0.4 allows remote code execution via a crafted template repository because template expansion on files in .forgejo/template is mishandled.

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.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities (CWE-1336)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Forgejo

All Forgejo vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities

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