Cyber Resilience

CVE-2026-29186

Linuxfoundation Backstage Plugin-Techdocs-Node ≤ 1.14.3

Published
07 March 2026
Modified
15 July 2026
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.7
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L
EPSS Score 0.0078 53th percentile
Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-29186 is a high-severity Injection (CWE-74) vulnerability in Linuxfoundation Backstage Plugin-Techdocs-Node. Its CVSS base score is 7.7 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 47% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-3 (Malicious Code Protection) — see the control section below for these in your framework.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2026-29186 is a configuration bypass vulnerability in the @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node package of Backstage, an open framework for building developer portals. Affecting versions prior to 1.14.3, the flaw stems from a gap in the allowlist used to filter dangerous MkDocs configuration keys during the TechDocs documentation build process. This allows attackers to craft a malicious mkdocs.yml file that triggers arbitrary Python code execution, fully bypassing TechDocs' security controls. The vulnerability is rated 7.7 on the CVSS 3.1 scale (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L) and is associated with CWEs-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) and CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type).

An attacker with low privileges, such as a authenticated user able to submit or influence TechDocs documentation builds over the network, can exploit this vulnerability despite its high attack complexity and lack of user interaction requirements. By exploiting the allowlist gap, the attacker achieves arbitrary Python code execution on the server during the MkDocs build process, potentially leading to high confidentiality impacts, scope changes, and limited integrity or availability disruptions.

The GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-928r-fm4v-mvrw) confirms the issue has been patched in Backstage version 1.14.3, recommending immediate upgrades to mitigate the risk of arbitrary code execution.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

Backstage is an open framework for building developer portals. Prior to version 1.14.3, this is a configuration bypass vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution. The @backstage/plugin-techdocs-node package uses an allowlist to filter dangerous MkDocs configuration keys during the documentation build…

more

process. A gap in this allowlist allows attackers to craft an mkdocs.yml that causes arbitrary Python code execution, completely bypassing TechDocs' security controls. This issue has been patched in version 1.14.3.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
T1221 Template Injection Stealth
Adversaries may create or modify references in user document templates to conceal malicious code or force authentication attempts.
T1659 Content Injection Initial Access
Adversaries may gain access and continuously communicate with victims by injecting malicious content into systems through online network traffic.
T1674 Input Injection Execution
Adversaries may simulate keystrokes on a victim’s computer by various means to perform any type of action on behalf of the user, such as launching the command interpreter using keyboard shortcuts, typing an inline script to be executed,…
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Execution
Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries.
T1059.001 PowerShell Execution
Adversaries may abuse PowerShell commands and scripts for execution.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-39424Shared CWE-434, CWE-74
CVE-2026-24010Shared CWE-434, CWE-74
CVE-2025-13462Shared CWE-434, CWE-74
CVE-2023-23749Shared CWE-74
CVE-2023-48835Shared CWE-74
CVE-2023-51939Shared CWE-74
CVE-2023-33242Shared CWE-74
CVE-2023-4157Shared CWE-74
CVE-2024-28191Shared CWE-74
CVE-2022-2992Shared CWE-74

Affected Assets

linuxfoundation
backstage plugin-techdocs-node
≤ 1.14.3

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V5.1.1
  • V1.2.1
  • V1.2.3
  • V1.2.5

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SI-10 directly requires validation of information inputs to reject malformed or special-element content before it reaches downstream parsers.

Malicious-code protection at entry points blocks dangerous file types from being accepted and executed.

Least functionality restricts the file types and automatic processing capabilities the system will accept.

SC-18 Mobile Code partial match

Mobile-code controls define, authorize, and block unacceptable uploaded code before automatic processing occurs.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-05 mostly match
prevents

Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices directly require input validation and output encoding that prevent injection flaws.

PR.PS-01 partial match
prevents

Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

finds

Security testing in development catches injection vulnerabilities before release.

A.8.15 Logging partial match
finds

Logging supports detection of injection attempts but does not prevent the weakness.

finds

Monitoring activities can identify active injection attacks after they occur.

prevents

Secure development life cycle mandates input validation and output encoding that directly prevent injection flaws.

prevents

Application security requirements explicitly call for controls against injection attacks in software design.

prevents

Secure architecture principles reduce injection surfaces but do not prescribe specific neutralization techniques.

References