Copier safe template has arbitrary filesystem write access via directory symlinks when _preserve_symlinks: true
Description
Copier is a library and CLI app for rendering project templates. Prior to version 9.11.2, Copier suggests that it's safe to generate a project from a safe template, i.e. one that doesn't use unsafe features like custom Jinja extensions which would require passing the --UNSAFE,--trust flag. As it turns out, a safe template can currently write to arbitrary directories outside the destination path by using directory a symlink along with _preserve_symlinks: true and a generated directory structure whose rendered path is inside the symlinked directory. This way, a malicious template author can create a template that overwrites arbitrary files (according to the user's write permissions), e.g., to cause havoc. Version 9.11.2 patches the issue.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
copierPyPI | < 9.11.2 | 9.11.2 |
Affected products
2- Range: 1.1.1, 3.0.0-alpha5, 3.0.0-alpha6, …
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
5- github.com/advisories/GHSA-4fqp-r85r-hxqhghsaADVISORY
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23986ghsaADVISORY
- github.com/copier-org/copier/commit/b3a7b3772d17cf0e7a4481978188c9f536c8d8f6ghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/copier-org/copier/releases/tag/v9.11.2ghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/copier-org/copier/security/advisories/GHSA-4fqp-r85r-hxqhghsax_refsource_CONFIRMWEB
News mentions
0No linked articles in our index yet.