CVE-2026-29053: Ghost Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-cgc2-rcrh-qr5x
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CVSS 7.6
CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-29053 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.6) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')) affecting Ghost libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves ghost vulnerable to remote code execution via malicious themes. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 6.19.1.

CVE-2026-29053 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-29053
GHSA Identifier GHSA-cgc2-rcrh-qr5x
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.6
CWE Classification CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Product Ghost
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.6

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2026-29053

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Ghost dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

ghost fixed: 6.19.1 
npm install ghost@6.19.1
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls ghost

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-29053, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls ghost

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Ghost in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 6.19.1), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls ghost command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. In Ghost, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact Specifically crafted malicious themes can execute arbitrary code on the server running Ghost. ### Vulnerable Versions This vulnerability is present in Ghost v0.7.2 to v6.19.0. ### Patches v6.19.1 contains a fix for this issue. ### Workarounds Ghost generally recommends users refrain from installing untrusted themes. If a malicious theme has already been installed, it is recommended to uninstall the theme and then inspect it to understand its impact, which will be attack-specific. ### References Ghost thanks Cristian-Alexandru Staicu at Endor Labs for disclosing this vulnerability responsibly. ### For more information If there are any questions or comments about this advisory, email Ghost at [security@ghost.org](mailto:security@ghost.org).

CVE-2026-29053 Affected Ghost Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
6.19.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
ghost
npm/ghost
npm
≥ 0.7.2
< 6.19.1
6.19.1

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/security/advisories/GHSA-cgc2-rcrh-qr5x
NVD — CVE-2026-29053 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-29053
Ghost Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-29053?
CVE-2026-29053 is a security vulnerability in Ghost involving Ghost Vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via Malicious Themes under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection').
Which Ghost versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 6.19.1 across affected packages: ghost.
What version fixes CVE-2026-29053?
Upgrading to 6.19.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is ghost affected?
Yes, ghost is affected in releases prior to 6.19.1. Upgrade your dependency to 6.19.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-29053?
CVE-2026-29053 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.6 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-29053?
CVE-2026-29053 is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-29053?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls ghost'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-cgc2-rcrh-qr5x",
  "modified" : "2026-03-05T15:28:15Z",
  "published" : "2026-03-03T20:01:21Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-29053" ],
  "summary" : "Ghost Vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via Malicious Themes",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nSpecifically crafted malicious themes can execute arbitrary code on the server running Ghost. \n\n### Vulnerable Versions\n\nThis vulnerability is present in Ghost v0.7.2 to v6.19.0.\n\n### Patches\n\nv6.19.1 contains a fix for this issue.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nGhost generally recommends users refrain from installing untrusted themes. If a malicious theme has already been installed, it is recommended to uninstall the theme and then inspect it to understand its impact, which will be attack-specific. \n\n### References\nGhost thanks Cristian-Alexandru Staicu at Endor Labs for disclosing this vulnerability responsibly. \n\n### For more information\n\nIf there are any questions or comments about this advisory, email Ghost at [security@ghost.org](mailto:security@ghost.org).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "ghost"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0.7.2"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.19.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 6.19.0"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/security/advisories/GHSA-cgc2-rcrh-qr5x"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-29053"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-03T20:01:21Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-05T06:16:50Z"
  }
}