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GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf
No affected components available
Impact
When 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.
Patches
Upgrade to @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node version 1.13.11, 1.14.1 or later.
The 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.
Note: Users of @techdocs/cli should also upgrade to the latest version, which includes the fixed @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node dependency.
Workarounds
If you cannot upgrade immediately:
- Use Docker mode with restricted access: Configure TechDocs with
runIn: dockerinstead ofrunIn: local. This provides container isolation, though it does not fully mitigate the risk. - Restrict repository access: Limit who can modify
mkdocs.ymlfiles in repositories that TechDocs processes. Only allow trusted contributors. - Manual review: Implement PR review requirements for changes to
mkdocs.ymlfiles to detect malicioushooksconfigurations before they are merged. - 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.
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.
References
MkDocs Hooks Documentation MkDocs 1.4 Release Notes TechDocs Architecture
The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is difficult for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability and may require special conditions. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. No user interaction is needed for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a low impact on the integrity of the data. There is a low impact on the availability of the system.
Exploitation activity has been observed. Apply available patches or mitigations urgently.
The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.
We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.
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