CVE-2026-25153: @backstage/plugin techdocs node @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node Vulnerable To Arbitrary Code Vulnerability

{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf",
  "modified" : "2026-02-02T20:19:58Z",
  "published" : "2026-02-02T20:19:58Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-25153" ],
  "summary" : "@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via MkDocs hooks",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nWhen TechDocs is configured with `runIn: local`, a malicious actor who can submit or modify a repository's `mkdocs.yml` file can execute arbitrary Python code on the TechDocs build server via MkDocs hooks configuration.\n\n### Patches\n\nUpgrade to `@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node` version 1.13.11, 1.14.1 or later.\nThe fix introduces an allowlist of supported MkDocs configuration keys. Unsupported configuration keys (including `hooks`) are now removed from `mkdocs.yml` before running the generator, with a warning logged to indicate which keys were removed.\n\n**Note**: Users of `@techdocs/cli` should also upgrade to the latest version, which includes the fixed `@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node` dependency.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nIf you cannot upgrade immediately:\n\n1. Use Docker mode with restricted access: Configure TechDocs with `runIn: docker` instead of `runIn: local`. This provides container isolation, though it does not fully mitigate the risk.\n2. Restrict repository access: Limit who can modify `mkdocs.yml` files in repositories that TechDocs processes. Only allow trusted contributors.\n3. Manual review: Implement PR review requirements for changes to `mkdocs.yml` files to detect malicious `hooks` configurations before they are merged.\n4. Downgrade MkDocs: Use MkDocs < 1.4.0 (e.g., 1.3.1) which does not support hooks. Note: This may limit access to newer MkDocs features.\n\n**Note**: Building documentation in CI/CD pipelines using `@techdocs/cli` does not mitigate this vulnerability, as the CLI uses the same vulnerable `@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node` package.\n\n### References\n\n[MkDocs Hooks Documentation](https://www.mkdocs.org/user-guide/configuration/#hooks)\n[MkDocs 1.4 Release Notes](https://www.mkdocs.org/about/release-notes/#version-14-2022-09-27)\n[TechDocs Architecture](https://backstage.io/docs/features/techdocs/architecture)",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "1.14.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.14.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "versions" : [ "1.14.0" ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.13.11"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25153"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/backstage/backstage"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-94" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-02-02T20:19:58Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-01-30T22:15:56Z"
  }
}