# CVE-2026-55760: handlebars.java FileTemplateLoader Path Traversal

> Attackers can read arbitrary files by manipulating template names in Handlebars.java applications using FileTemplateLoader or ClassPathTemplateLoader.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Jul 2026
- **Updated:** 9 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** ECHO-56c2-4f94-ed4c, GHSA-r4gv-qr8j-p3pg, ROOT-APP-MAVEN-CVE-2026-55760

## What is CVE-2026-55760?

CVE-2026-55760 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in jknack handlebars.java, published on 8 Jul 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Handlebars.java provides logic-less and semantic Mustache templates with Java. Prior to 4.5.2, applications that pass user-controlled input to Handlebars.compile() using FileTemplateLoader or ClassPathTemplateLoader are vulnerable to path traversal, allowing arbitrary file read through template names derived from URL path parameters, request parameters, or other user-controlled sources. This issue is fixed in version 4.5.2.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-55760?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including com.github.jknack:handlebars.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `com.github.jknack:handlebars` | Maven | All versions | 4.5.2 |
| `com.github.jknack:handlebars` | Maven | All versions | 4.5.2 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-55760?

Upgrade com.github.jknack:handlebars to 4.5.2 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-55760 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-55760 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-55760 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-55760 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in jknack handlebars.java, published on 8 Jul 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-55760 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- com.github.jknack:handlebars (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 4.5.2
- com.github.jknack:handlebars (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 4.5.2

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-55760/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-55760/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-55760
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-55760
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-55760

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-55760/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.