Backstage: Improper validation of MkDocs plugin configuration in TechDocs
Impact
An authenticated attacker with control over a TechDocs source repository could cause a documentation build to retrieve and publish data from network locations reachable by the build environment. Exposure depends on deployment topology, build mode, and target endpoint protections. Modern cloud metadata services that require tokens or special headers are not directly accessible through the affected behavior.
Patches
Upgrade @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node to a patched version for the applicable release line:
1.14.x: upgrade to1.14.7or later in that line, available in Backstage v1.50.6.1.15.x: upgrade to1.15.5or later, available in Backstage v1.54.8.- Current mainline: upgrade to
2.0.0or later, available in Backstage v1.55.0.
The update removes MkDocs plugins outside the built-in allowlist. To retain additional plugins, review them and configure techdocs.generator.mkdocs.dangerouslyAllowAdditionalPlugins, or supply dangerouslyAllowAdditionalPlugins when creating the generator directly. Plugins supplied through defaultPlugins remain permitted.
Workarounds
- Restrict control of TechDocs source repositories and catalog registration to trusted maintainers.
- Run documentation builders with outbound access to private and link-local networks denied.
- Require token- or header-protected cloud instance metadata services.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node | >= 0.11.12, < 1.14.7, >= 1.15.0, < 1.15.5 | 1.14.7, 1.15.5 |
References
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-q38j-6vcm-2f5m
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-106455
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/commit/28aa82ae2815988721dd7bbf43cd69c431dcd71b
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/commit/9f76ea445088961f68c364764cc4b7734f368fc0
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/releases/tag/v1.50.6
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/releases/tag/v1.54.8
- https://github.com/backstage/backstage/releases/tag/v1.55.0
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-918- Platform
- npm
- Package
@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node- Disclosed
- 07.10.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-q38j-6vcm-2f5m - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node
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
- 11
- First → latest
- 06.2022 10.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 8
- Medium 3
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 10
-
Backstage: Improper validation of MkDocs plugin configuration in TechDocs this entry
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