Twig: Arbitrary PHP code execution via `_self.(<string>)` macro-reference compilation

Description

Description

The obj.(expr) dynamic-attribute syntax (added in 3.15.0 as the replacement for the deprecated attribute() function) lets the attribute be an arbitrary expression. When the receiver is _self (or any {% import %} alias) and the parenthesised expression is a string literal, DotExpressionParser short-circuits to the macro-call path and concatenates the attacker-controlled string into a MacroReferenceExpression name with no identifier validation. MacroReferenceExpression::compile() then emits that name raw into the generated PHP source.

An attacker who can supply template source can inject arbitrary PHP into the compiled template and execute it at template-load time, before checkSecurity() is ever called. This is a complete bypass of SandboxExtension, including a globally-enabled sandbox with an empty SecurityPolicy allowlist.

Resolution

The parser now validates that the dynamic attribute resolves to a valid macro identifier before routing through MacroReferenceExpression, and the macro-reference compiler emits the name through a properly escaped path.

Credits

Twig would like to thank Claude Mythos Preview (via Project Glasswing) for reporting the issue and providing the fix.

Basic information

Type
reviewed
Severity
high
Advisory on GitHub
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Repository advisory
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Source code
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Published (advisory)
2026-05-21 21:31:08 UTC
Updated
2026-06-05 20:33:14 UTC
GitHub reviewed
2026-05-21 21:31:08 UTC

EPSS Score

No EPSS score in this advisory JSON.

CVSS Scores

Base score Version Severity Vector
8.7 4.0
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:N)
Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network.
Attack complexity (AC:L)
Exploitation conditions are straightforward and stable.
Attack requirements (AT:N)
No additional preconditions are required beyond normal reachability.
Privileges required (PR:L)
Low privileges are required.
User interaction (UI:N)
No user interaction is required.
Vulnerable system confidentiality impact (VC:H)
High confidentiality impact on the vulnerable system.
Vulnerable system integrity impact (VI:H)
High integrity impact on the vulnerable system.
Vulnerable system availability impact (VA:H)
High availability impact on the vulnerable system.
Subsequent system confidentiality impact (SC:N)
No confidentiality impact on subsequent systems.
Subsequent system integrity impact (SI:N)
No integrity impact on subsequent systems.
Subsequent system availability impact (SA:N)
No availability impact on subsequent systems.

Identifiers

CWEs

CWE id Name
CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

Credits

  • vladko312 (analyst)

Affected packages (1)

Vulnerable version ranges and first patched releases as published by GitHub.

Ecosystem Package Vulnerable range First patched Vulnerable functions
composer twig/twig >= 3.15.0, < 3.26.0 3.26.0

References

cvelogic Threat Intelligence