Remote code execution via the `pretty` option.
Impact
If a remote attacker was able to control the pretty option of the pug compiler, e.g. if you spread a user provided object such as the query parameters of a request into the pug template inputs, it was possible for them to achieve remote code execution on the node.js backend.
Patches
Upgrade to pug@3.0.1 or pug-code-gen@3.0.2 or pug-code-gen@2.0.3, which correctly sanitise the parameter.
Workarounds
If there is no way for un-trusted input to be passed to pug as the pretty option, e.g. if you compile templates in advance before applying user input to them, you do not need to upgrade.
References
Original report: https://github.com/pugjs/pug/issues/3312
For more information
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Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | pug | < 3.0.1 | 3.0.1 |
| npm package | pug-code-gen | < 2.0.3, >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.2 | 2.0.3, 3.0.2 |
References
- https://github.com/pugjs/pug/security/advisories/GHSA-p493-635q-r6gr
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21353
- https://github.com/pugjs/pug/issues/3312
- https://github.com/pugjs/pug/pull/3314
- https://github.com/pugjs/pug/commit/991e78f7c4220b2f8da042877c6f0ef5a4683be0
- https://github.com/pugjs/pug/releases/tag/pug%403.0.1
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/pug
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/pug-code-gen
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-74, CWE-94- Platform
- npm
- Package
pug, pug-code-gen- Disclosed
- 03.03.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-p493-635q-r6gr - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pug
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 2
- First → latest
- 03.2021 05.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Medium 2
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 1
- 2022: 0
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Remote code execution via the `pretty` option. this entry
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