GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp fief-server Server-Side Template Injection vulnerability
An authenticated user can execute arbitrary code on the server via Server-Side Template Injection in email templates.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp?
GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp is a code injection vulnerability in fief-server, published on 23 Jun 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Server-Side Template Injection
Overview of the Vulnerability
Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) is a vulnerability within application templating engines where user input is improperly handled and is embedded into the template, possibly leading code being executed.
An attacker can use SSTI to execute code on the underlying system by manipulating values within the embedded template. When code is executed within the underlying system, it can allow an attacker to run permissioned commands under the exploited process, or exploit Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) to run code within the user's browser.
Business Impact
SSTI can lead to reputational damage for the business due to a loss in confidence and trust by users. If an attacker successfully executes code within the underlying system, it can result in data theft and indirect financial losses.
Steps to Reproduce
- Sign up and login to your account
- Use a browser to navigate to: email-templates {{URL}}
- put your payload in Edit Base template
{{ cycler.__init__.__globals__.os.popen('id').read() }}and you will se it will execute.
Payload:
{{ cycler.__init__.__globals__.os.popen('id').read() }}
Proof of Concept (PoC)
The screenshot(s) below demonstrates the SSTI:

Which versions are affected by GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including fief-server.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
fief-server PyPI | From 0.19.0 | 0.25.3 |
fief-server PyPI | From 0.19.0 | 0.25.3 |
How do I fix GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp?
Upgrade fief-server to 0.25.3 or later.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of GHSA-hj8m-9fhf-v7jp in the wild and no public exploit code.