Orval: Import-time RCE via query-parameter default -> zod module-level template literal

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS 4.0

9.3 · 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 · score source

EPSS

• CVE-2026-72716: 0.65% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 51.33 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary Orval's zod schema generation emits the query-parameter 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 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 Malicious input: a query parameter with a default of v${<attacker JS}w. ${...} permits any JS expression. Note: this is one of several default-bearing positions that reach the same unescaped zod template-literal sink; a single fix (escape default values) closes all of them, and a CNA may choose to consolidate the related reports. PoC reproduce.sh (+ makespec.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…

Published by the source

2 Sep 2026, 14:53 UTC

Last modified by the source

2 Sep 2026, 15:00 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 13:02 UTC

1. Revision 4 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg

2. Revision 3 · amended · 25 Oct 2026

   Reviewed OSV alias/range/CVSS4 correction; package source scopes and original publication preserved. No customer finding resolved.

3. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Amended from osv record GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg

4. Revision 1 · created · 23 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-72716

Advisory: Orval: Import-time RCE via query-parameter default -> zod module-level template literal
IDs: CVE-2026-72716, GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-72716 (revision 4, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 13:02 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.3)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: orval 8.21.0. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm orval: affected < 8.21.0; fixed in 8.21.0

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls orval --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on orval.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg lists affected ranges: npm orval >=0 <8.21.0)
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg (OSV record GHSA-p4cg-3328-rvfg lists affected ranges: npm orval >=0 <8.21.0 (fixed))

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