Orval: Import-time RCE via schema default -> zod module-level template literal
Summary
Orval's zod schema generation emits a schema's default value as a module-level template literal (export const …Default = <default>;) without escaping ${ or the backtick. A default of the form v${<code>}w injects a live JavaScript expression that is evaluated when the generated zod schema module is imported, executing attacker-controlled code at import — no request or function call needed. Verified on Orval 8.19.0; survives default OpenAPI validation.
Details
export const getIResponseDsDefault = `v${globalThis.ORVPWN()}w`;
${...} permits an arbitrary JS expression. Orval escapes its other value sinks (enum, mock, regex, object-default values) with \' inside single-quoted strings; the string default is the one value emitted as a backtick template literal, so ${...}/backtick are interpreted, not escaped. Distinct from the URL-template-literal cases (different field and sink) and from the published Orval CVEs (summary/MCP, x-enumDescriptions, const/mock).
PoC
reproduce.sh (+ make_spec.py) attached: generates the zod schema with default validation, bundles it, imports it, and shows a marker written at import. Verified on 8.19.0.
Impact
Code execution at import in any application that imports a zod schema module generated from an attacker-controlled or attacker-influenced OpenAPI description.
Suggested fix
Emit default values via a proper string-literal encoder (JSON.stringify, or escape backtick and ${ if a template literal must be used); never interpolate a spec value into a template literal.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | orval | < 8.21.0 | 8.21.0 |
References
- https://github.com/orval-labs/orval/security/advisories/GHSA-w727-8j6c-2rj4
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72717
- https://github.com/orval-labs/orval/pull/3692
- https://github.com/orval-labs/orval/commit/8ef1bfdf3f9bcaf9dabfbe2e42887f1c0e159ab6
- https://github.com/orval-labs/orval
- https://github.com/orval-labs/orval/releases/tag/v8.21.0
- CVSS vector
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- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-116, CWE-1336, CWE-94- Platform
- npm
- Package
orval- Disclosed
- 03.09.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-w727-8j6c-2rj4 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: orval
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
- 12
- First → latest
- 09.2026 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 11
- High 1
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 12
-
Orval: Import-time RCE via schema default -> zod module-level template literal this entry
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