CVE-2021-32822Public exploitNetwork attack vector

File disclosure via overwritten render configuration

Published Aug 16, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Information disclosure in PillarJS hbs 4.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read server files via crafted render data. The Express render API accepts attacker-controlled settings and view options alongside template data, allowing a request to replace the views directory and layout filename. Exposure requires a downstream Express application to pass a user-controlled object such as req.query directly to res.render; successful exploitation discloses readable files, not code execution.

CVSS severity4.0
Medium
EPSS probability1.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in PillarJS hbs 4.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read server files via crafted render data. The Express render API accepts attacker-controlled settings and view options alongside template data, allowing a request to replace the views directory and layout filename. Exposure requires a downstream Express application to pass a user-controlled object such as req.query directly to res.render; successful exploitation discloses readable files, not code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32822
Published
Aug 16, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
PillarJS
Product
hbs
Classifications
CWE-94, CWE-200, CWE-538, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 16, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=all

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

PillarJS · hbsversion=all

Published CVSS scores

4.0GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
CWE-538Insertion of Sensitive Information into Externally-Accessible File or Directory
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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