CVE-2026-42794Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Reflected XSS via GraphiQL backslash escape bypass

Published May 8, 2026 · Updated May 8, 2026

Reflected XSS in Absinthe.Plug 1.2.0 through 1.5.9 allows remote attackers to execute JavaScript via a crafted GraphiQL query URL. The GraphiQL js_escape/1 function embeds the query GET parameter in an inline JavaScript string after escaping quotes and newlines but leaves backslashes unescaped, so a backslash-prefixed quote terminates the string. Exploitation requires a reachable GraphiQL route and a victim to open the crafted URL; successful execution can read or alter data accessible to that browser session.

CVSS severity2.3
Low
EPSS probability0.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Reflected XSS in Absinthe.Plug 1.2.0 through 1.5.9 allows remote attackers to execute JavaScript via a crafted GraphiQL query URL. The GraphiQL js_escape/1 function embeds the query GET parameter in an inline JavaScript string after escaping quotes and newlines but leaves backslashes unescaped, so a backslash-prefixed quote terminates the string. Exploitation requires a reachable GraphiQL route and a victim to open the crafted URL; successful execution can read or alter data accessible to that browser session.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-42794
Published
May 8, 2026
Updated
May 8, 2026
Vendor
Absinthe
Product
Absinthe.Plug
Classifications
CWE-79, CAPEC-86, T1189
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 8, 2026Record 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=1.2.0 <*
  2. Affected versionversion=26241817cb4b9be4de3f5972c5fba3d36de3d713 <23a0d5658d32420086711adf4ce8f05febb09963

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Absinthe · Absinthe.Plugversion=1.2.0 <*; version=26241817cb4b9be4de3f5972c5fba3d36de3d713 <23a0d5658d32420086711adf4ce8f05febb09963

Published CVSS scores

6.1NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
2.3Erlang Ecosystem FoundationCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA: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-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
CAPEC-86XSS Through HTTP Headers
T1189Drive-by Compromise

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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