# CVE-2026-25153: Backstage TechDocs code execution via MkDocs hooks configuration

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-25153-backstage-techdocs-code-execution-via-mkdocs-hooks-configuration  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-01-30. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-25153 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.7 · Published 2026-01-30

Backstage is an open-source framework used by organizations to build internal developer portals. A vulnerability in its TechDocs component allows an attacker who can modify a project's documentation configuration file to execute malicious code on the server responsible for building the documentation. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or a compromise of the build environment.

Technologies: [Backstage Plugin-Techdocs-Node](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/plugin-techdocs-node), [@backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-backstage-plugin-techdocs-node), [Red Hat Developer Hub](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/developer-hub). Vendors: [Backstage](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/backstage), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-25153 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-25153 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-25153?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.7, published 30 January 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Backstage Plugin-Techdocs-Node < 1.13.11, = 1.14.0; Backstage Techdocs-Cli All versions using vulnerable plugin-techdocs-node; @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) SEMVER:introduced=1.14.0,fixed=1.14.1; Red Hat Developer Hub 1.8, 1.9.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-25153?** Yes. @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm): upgrade to 1.14.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-25153 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-25153?** Check whether you run Backstage Plugin-Techdocs-Node, Backstage Techdocs-Cli, @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm) or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node (npm): upgrade to 1.14.1 or later

  ```sh
  npm install @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node@1.14.1
  ```


## Technical details

A code injection vulnerability exists in @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node when the 'runIn: local' configuration is used. The root cause is the improper sanitization of the mkdocs.yml configuration file, which allows the 'hooks' feature of MkDocs (introduced in version 1.4.0) to execute arbitrary Python scripts during the documentation generation process. An attacker with low privileges (sufficient to submit a Pull Request or modify a repository) can trigger this execution on the TechDocs build server. The vulnerability is addressed in versions 1.13.11 and 1.14.1 by implementing an allowlist that strips unsupported keys, including 'hooks', from the configuration file before processing.

## Affected products

- Backstage @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node < 1.13.11, = 1.14.0
- Red Hat Red Hat Developer Hub 1.8, 1.9
- Backstage @techdocs/cli All versions using vulnerable plugin-techdocs-node

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-25153
- GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf

## Timeline

- 2026-01-30: advisory: Initial disclosure by Backstage maintainers
- 2026-01-30: patched: Fix released in versions 1.13.11 and 1.14.1
- 2026-03-30: patched: Red Hat released RHSA-2026:6174 for Developer Hub 1.8.5

## References

- [https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf](https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-6jr7-99pf-8vgf)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:6174](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:6174)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:6802](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:6802)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-25153](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-25153)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2435576](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2435576)
- [https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-25153.json](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-25153.json)

## Related threats

- [Backstage TechDocs remote code execution via mkdocs.yml](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106510-backstage-remote-code-execution-via-crafted-markdown-extensions)
- [Backstage plugin-techdocs-node code execution in MkDocs configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106558-backstage-improper-validation-of-techdocs-mkdocs-configuration)
- [Backstage improper input validation in TechDocs Markdown extension](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106557-backstage-has-improper-input-validation-in-techdocs-markdown)
- [Backstage plugin-techdocs-node code execution in mkdocs configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106509-backstage-is-an-open-framework-for-building-developer-portals)
- [Backstage TechDocs local publisher path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106508-backstage-is-an-open-framework-for-building-developer-portals)