GHSA-vj3m-2g9h-vm4p CVE-2026-56700

Grav has multiple RCE vectors: unsafe unserialize (x3), command injection in git clone, SSTI blocklist bypass

Critical Packagist

Severity: 9.3 / 10; Critical · CVSS 4.0
Exploit chance (EPSS): 2.53%; Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days. Higher than 84.90% of scored vulnerabilities.
Known exploited: No; Not in CISA's catalog
Weakness: CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data; CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Fix: 2.0.0-beta.2; Upgrade getgrav/grav to this version or later

Description

Multiple RCE vectors were found in Grav CMS. Three are critical, two are high.

1. Unsafe unserialize() in JobQueue — direct RCE gadget (Critical)

system/src/Grav/Common/Scheduler/JobQueue.php:465 calls unserialize(base64_decode(...)) without restricting allowed_classes. The Job class has call_user_func_array($this->command, $this->args) in its execution path, which is a direct gadget chain — inject a serialized Job with command = 'system' and args = ['whoami'].

The same codebase actually has a Serializable trait that correctly restricts classes, so this inconsistency stands out.

2. Unsafe unserialize() in FileCache — arbitrary class instantiation (Critical)

system/src/Grav/Framework/Cache/Adapter/FileCache.php:75 does unserialize($value, ['allowed_classes' => true]). That true allows instantiation of any class. If an attacker can write to the cache directory (via any file write primitive), they get object injection → RCE.

3. Unsafe unserialize() in Session (High)

system/src/Grav/Common/Session.php:116 — same allowed_classes => true pattern on session data. Lower severity since session storage is typically more restricted.

4. Command injection in git clone (Critical)

system/src/Grav/Console/Cli/InstallCommand.php:150 — only $this->destination uses escapeshellarg(). The $data['branch'], $data['url'], and $data['path'] variables go directly into the shell command without escaping. Admin-accessible via plugin/theme installation.

5. SSTI blocklist bypass (High)

system/src/Grav/Common/Security.php:267-286 — cleanDangerousTwig() blocks twig_array_map and twig_array_filter but not twig_array_reduce. Also missing file_get_contents and fwrite from the dangerous function blocklist. An attacker who can inject Twig templates can bypass the security filter.

All five are independently exploitable. The unserialize issues are the most concerning since they don't require admin access if there's any file write primitive.

— ProScan AppSec | proscan.one

Maintainer note — fix applied (2026-04-24)

Fixed in Grav core on the 2.0 branch: commit c66dfeb5f (items #1, #2, #3, #4) and commit 38685ac25 + c66dfeb5f (item #5) — ships in 2.0.0-beta.2.

All five vectors addressed:

Scheduler\JobQueue unsafe unserialize — serialized_job now carries a sibling serialized_job_hmac signed with Security::getNonceKey(). reconstructJob refuses to unserialize an item whose HMAC is missing/mismatched and falls through to the safe structured-fields rebuild. A tampered queue file can no longer smuggle a forged Job for direct RCE via Job::exec → call_user_func_array.
→ system/src/Grav/Common/Scheduler/JobQueue.php
FileCache unsafe unserialize — same HMAC-integrity approach; see separate GHSA-gwfr-jfjf-92vv.
→ system/src/Grav/Framework/Cache/Adapter/FileCache.php
Session::getFlashObject unsafe unserialize — payload now wrapped in a v2|<hmac>|<serialized> envelope; legacy/forged envelopes return null instead of triggering unserialize.
→ system/src/Grav/Common/Session.php
InstallCommand git clone shell injection — branch, url, and path values read from user/.dependencies are now passed through escapeshellarg, with a -- separator before url/path to block option-injection (e.g. --upload-pack=evil).
→ system/src/Grav/Console/Cli/InstallCommand.php
SSTI blocklist bypass — twig_array_reduce (the specific name called out) plus twig_array_some and twig_array_every added to cleanDangerousTwig's CALLABLE_DANGEROUS_NAMES alongside the existing twig_array_map/filter. More importantly, the new Twig content sandbox in 2.0.0-beta.2 blocks this class of attack at a different layer — see the sandbox work in 38685ac25.
→ system/src/Grav/Common/Security.php

Tests:

tests/unit/Grav/Common/Security/UnserializeIntegritySecurityTest.php — 8 cases covering JobQueue + Session HMAC integrity.
tests/unit/Grav/Common/Security/FileCacheSecurityTest.php.
tests/unit/Grav/Common/Security/CleanDangerousTwigTest.php — new twig_array_* entries in providerCallbackFunctions.

Affected versions

Packagist

Package	Vulnerable	Fixed in
getgrav/grav	`< 2.0.0-beta.2`	`2.0.0-beta.2`

How to fix

Move to the fixed version or later with your package manager, update the lockfile, and run your tests. If the package only arrives through another dependency, upgrade that dependency first. If none of its releases pulls a fixed version yet, force the version with your package manager's override.

getgrav/grav Packagist → `2.0.0-beta.2`

composer

composer require getgrav/grav:^2.0.0-beta.2

Severity breakdown

CVSS 4.0 9.3

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Attack vector: Network
Attack complexity: Low
Attack requirements: None
Privileges required: None
User interaction: None
Confidentiality (vulnerable system): High
Integrity (vulnerable system): High
Availability (vulnerable system): High
Confidentiality (subsequent systems): None
Integrity (subsequent systems): None
Availability (subsequent systems): None
Exploit maturity: Not defined
Scope: X

CVSS 3.1 9.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack vector: Network
Attack complexity: Low
Privileges required: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Weakness

CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.

How to prevent it

Architecture and Design, Implementation: If available, use the signing/sealing features of the programming language to assure that deserialized data has not been tainted. For example, a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) could be used to ensure that data has not been modified.
Implementation: When deserializing data, populate a new object rather than just deserializing. The result is that the data flows through safe input validation and that the functions are safe.
Implementation: Explicitly define a final object() to prevent deserialization.
Architecture and Design, Implementation: Make fields transient to protect them from deserialization. An attempt to serialize and then deserialize a class containing transient fields will result in NULLs where the transient data should be. This is an excellent way to prevent time, environment-based, or sensitive variables from being carried over and used improperly.
Implementation: Avoid having unnecessary types or gadgets (a sequence of instances and method invocations that can self-execute during the deserialization process, often found in libraries) available that can be leveraged for malicious ends. This limits the potential for unintended or unauthorized types and gadgets to be leveraged by the attacker. Add only acceptable classes to an allowlist. Note: new gadgets are constantly being discovered, so this alone is not a sufficient mitigation.
Architecture and Design, Implementation: Employ cryptography of the data or code for protection. However, it's important to note that it would still be client-side security. This is risky because if the client is compromised then the security implemented on the client (the cryptography) can be bypassed.
Operation: Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth [REF-1481].

CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

How to prevent it

Architecture and Design: If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
Architecture and Design, Operation: Run the code in a "jail" or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which files can be accessed in a particular directory or which commands can be executed by the software. OS-level examples include the Unix chroot jail, AppArmor, and SELinux. In general, managed code may provide some protection. For example, java.io.FilePermission in the Java SecurityManager allows the software to specify restrictions on file operations. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of the application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
Architecture and Design: For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
Architecture and Design: For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
Architecture and Design: Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using the ESAPI Encoding control [REF-45] or a similar tool, library, or framework. These will help the programmer encode outputs in a manner less prone to error.
Implementation: While it is risky to use dynamically-generated query strings, code, or commands that mix control and data together, sometimes it may be unavoidable. Properly quote arguments and escape any special characters within those arguments. The most conservative approach is to escape or filter all characters that do not pass an extremely strict allowlist (such as everything that is not alphanumeric or white space). If some special characters are still needed, such as white space, wrap each argument in quotes after the escaping/filtering step. Be careful of argument injection (CWE-88).
Implementation: If the program to be executed allows arguments to be specified within an input file or from standard input, then consider using that mode to pass arguments instead of the command line.
Architecture and Design: If available, use structured mechanisms that automatically enforce the separation between data and code. These mechanisms may be able to provide the relevant quoting, encoding, and validation automatically, instead of relying on the developer to provide this capability at every point where output is generated. Some languages offer multiple functions that can be used to invoke commands. Where possible, identify any function that invokes a command shell using a single string, and replace it with a function that requires individual arguments. These functions typically perform appropriate quoting and filtering of arguments. For example, in C, the system() function accepts a string that contains the entire command to be executed, whereas execl(), execve(), and others require an array of strings, one for each argument. In Windows, CreateProcess() only accepts one command at a time. In Perl, if system() is provided with an array of arguments, then it will quote each of the arguments.
Implementation: Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does. When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue." Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright. When constructing OS command strings, use stringent allowlists that limit the character set based on the expected value of the parameter in the request. This will indirectly limit the scope of an attack, but this technique is less important than proper output encoding and escaping. Note that proper output encoding, escaping, and quoting is the most effective solution for preventing OS command injection, although input validation may provide some defense-in-depth. This is because it effectively limits what will appear in output. Input validation will not always prevent OS command injection, especially if you are required to support free-form text fields that could contain arbitrary characters. For example, when invoking a mail program, you might need to allow the subject field to contain otherwise-dangerous inputs like ";" and ">" characters, which would ne
Architecture and Design: When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
Operation: Run the code in an environment that performs automatic taint propagation and prevents any command execution that uses tainted variables, such as Perl's "-T" switch. This will force the program to perform validation steps that remove the taint, although you must be careful to correctly validate your inputs so that you do not accidentally mark dangerous inputs as untainted (see CWE-183 and CWE-184).
Operation: Run the code in an environment that performs automatic taint propagation and prevents any command execution that uses tainted variables, such as Perl's "-T" switch. This will force the program to perform validation steps that remove the taint, although you must be careful to correctly validate your inputs so that you do not accidentally mark dangerous inputs as untainted (see CWE-183 and CWE-184).
Implementation: Ensure that error messages only contain minimal details that are useful to the intended audience and no one else. The messages need to strike the balance between being too cryptic (which can confuse users) or being too detailed (which may reveal more than intended). The messages should not reveal the methods that were used to determine the error. Attackers can use detailed information to refine or optimize their original attack, thereby increasing their chances of success. If errors must be captured in some detail, record them in log messages, but consider what could occur if the log messages can be viewed by attackers. Highly sensitive information such as passwords should never be saved to log files. Avoid inconsistent messaging that might accidentally tip off an attacker about internal state, such as whether a user account exists or not. In the context of OS Command Injection, error information passed back to the user might reveal whether an OS command is being executed and possibly which command is being used.
Operation: Use runtime policy enforcement to create an allowlist of allowable commands, then prevent use of any command that does not appear in the allowlist. Technologies such as AppArmor are available to do this.
Operation: Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth [REF-1481].
Architecture and Design, Operation: Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
Operation, Implementation: When using PHP, configure the application so that it does not use register_globals. During implementation, develop the application so that it does not rely on this feature, but be wary of implementing a register_globals emulation that is subject to weaknesses such as CWE-95, CWE-621, and similar issues.

References

Packages

github.com/getgrav/grav

Timeline

May 5, 2026 Published
Oct 8, 2026 Last updated by the source
Nov 1, 2026 Latest EPSS score

Advisory	Severity	Why it's related
GHSA-xjw5-q542-3vmr Grav: config_denied_paths default list omits `system`, exposing real secrets (e.g. system.cache.redis.password) via the Twig sandbox when config_access is enabled	High	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-3jhr-mxmx-38cx Grav: UserInterface offsetget/offsetexists allow-listed in Twig sandbox let editor-authored content leak hashed_password and 2FA secrets via offsetGet()	Medium	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-9ccq-2jfg-qw33 Grav: Origin validation bypass in Uri::referrer() and Pages::referrerRoute() via unanchored prefix match	Critical	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-38p6-h87p-r4cg Grav: Non constant time nonce comparison in Utils::verifyNonce() used for CSRF protection	Medium	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-p597-crqc-m349 Grav: The system, site, and theme Twig variables bypass the content sandbox entirely and are never covered by config_denied_paths	Medium	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-47ch-6w46-6xm7 Grav: media_directory() Twig function allows filesystem path traversal and file content disclosure from sandboxed page content	Medium	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-jq29-c7v8-rg55 Grav: Path Traversal in MediaUploadTrait::deleteFile() Allows Arbitrary File Deletion	High	Also affects getgrav/grav
GHSA-8hgv-xc77-jmcr Grav: Page editors can inject arbitrary script into rendered pages via the Twig sandbox's assets.addJs/addCss allowlist, escalating to super-admin	Medium	Also affects getgrav/grav

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