Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- EPSS is 0.30% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2026
CVE-2026-103923High confidence
KaTeX: Existing prototype pollution can bypass trust restrictions
KaTeX · KaTeX
Official source article: GitHub GHSA-238P-PMPM-9MQ7 ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
2.1LowCVSS 4.0
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Fix availability varies by productLow technical severity with no CISA KEV confirmation; remediate through the normal risk-based patch cycle unless local exposure raises the priority. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 5 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityLow→Operational priority:Low, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs KaTeX KaTeX and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 5 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
- Red Hat Product Security: 3 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
5 package statesRelease-specific package status
Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
| Distribution release | Source package | Vendor state | Fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debian trixietrixie · source | node-katex | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 8 Oct 2026 |
| Debian bookwormbookworm · source | node-katex | Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open. | Not published in this feed | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 8 Oct 2026 |
| Debian forkyforky · source | node-katex | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 0.16.10+~cs6.1.0-10 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 8 Oct 2026 |
| Debian sidsid · source | node-katex | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 0.16.10+~cs6.1.0-10 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 8 Oct 2026 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · esm-apps | node-katex | Under evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing. | Not published in this feed | Canonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026 |
Open-source package ranges2 source-attributed ranges
These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.
| Ecosystem and package | Affected range | First fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| npmkatex | >= 0.11.0, < 0.18.2 | 0.18.2 | GitHub advisory ↗upstream repository advisory · 5 Oct 2026 |
| npmkatex | SEMVER: introduced 0.11.0; fixed 0.18.2 | 0.18.2 | OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 6 Oct 2026 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2026-103923 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitykatex: katex: Cross-site scripting via prototype pollution inheritance
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- rh-podman-desktop as a component of Red Hat Build of Podman Desktop
- rhoai/odh-workbench-codeserver-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI)
- devspaces/code-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Dev Spaces
- Summary
- A flaw was found in KaTeX. When JavaScript prototype pollution is present or an attacker can manipulate configuration prototypes, KaTeX improperly relies on inherited properties instead of strictly validated configuration options. A remote attacker submitting crafted mathematical expressions can exploit this behavior to bypass trust restrictions, leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) or the loading of unauthorized external resources in web applications that display unsanitized output.
- Remediation
- Fix deferred
Low technical severity with no CISA KEV confirmation; remediate through the normal risk-based patch cycle unless local exposure raises the priority. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 5 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product01
What, why and how
KaTeX is a fast, easy-to-use JavaScript library for TeX math rendering on the web. From 0.11.0 until 0.18.2, KaTeX uses ordinary JavaScript property access for the renderer options object, the trust setting, default and processor setting metadata, and namespace lookup and group restoration, allowing inherited properties to be treated as explicitly supplied values. When Object.prototype is already polluted or an attacker controls the options object's prototype, attacker-controlled mathematical expressions can use an inherited trust value to enable trusted rendering and produce links capable of user-interaction cross-site scripting or loading attacker-selected external resources in a consuming application that inserts unsanitized KaTeX output into a page. KaTeX does not itself create the prototype pollution, and rendering an expression alone does not execute script. This issue is fixed in version 0.18.2.
What
KaTeX is a fast, easy-to-use JavaScript library for TeX math rendering on the web. From 0.11.0 until 0.18.2, KaTeX uses ordinary JavaScript property access for the renderer options object, the trust setting, default and processor setting metadata, and namespace lookup and group restoration, allowing inherited properties to be treated as explicitly supplied values. When Object.prototype is already polluted or an attacker controls the options object's prototype, attacker-controlled mathematical expressions can use an inherited trust value to enable trusted rendering and produce links capable of user-interaction cross-site scripting or loading attacker-selected external resources in a consuming application that inserts unsanitized KaTeX output into a page. KaTeX does not itself create the prototype pollution, and rendering an expression alone does not execute script. This issue is fixed in version 0.18.2.
Why
The product uses a protection mechanism that relies on the existence or values of an input, but the input can be modified by an untrusted actor in a way that bypasses the protection mechanism.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
KaTeX is a fast, easy-to-use JavaScript library for TeX math rendering on the web. From 0.11.0 until 0.18.2, KaTeX uses ordinary JavaScript property access for the renderer options object, the trust setting, default and processor setting metadata, and namespace lookup and group restoration, allowing inherited properties to be treated as explicitly supplied values. When Object.prototype is already polluted or an attacker controls the options object's prototype, attacker-controlled mathematical expressions can use an inherited trust value to enable trusted rendering and produce links capable of user-interaction cross-site scripting or loading attacker-selected external resources in a consuming application that inserts unsanitized KaTeX output into a page. KaTeX does not itself create the prototype pollution, and rendering an expression alone does not execute script. This issue is fixed in version 0.18.2.
Why
The product uses a protection mechanism that relies on the existence or values of an input, but the input can be modified by an untrusted actor in a way that bypasses the protection mechanism.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- a network path → Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
- Attack surface
- Network
- Privileges required
- None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
- User interaction
- Active interaction required
- Attack complexity
- Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
- Security boundary
- Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-807 ↗
CWE-807: Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision. The product uses a protection mechanism that relies on the existence or values of an input, but the input can be modified by an untrusted actor in a way that bypasses the protection mechanism.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:NCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.ATPresentAttack requirements: A particular deployment or execution condition must be present.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIActiveUser interaction: A user must take a deliberate action for exploitation to succeed.VCNoneVulnerable-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VINoneVulnerable-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VANoneVulnerable-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SCLowSubsequent-system confidentiality: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.SILowSubsequent-system integrity: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Fix availability varies by product
- Affected
- Fixed
- 0.18.2.
- Action
- Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 1 Oct 2026 · Last source change 6 Oct 2026, 01:59 UTC · CWE-807 · Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-10-02
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-90979
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2026-90979 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.ENISA EUVD ↗
- Before
- not recorded
- After
- {"euvdId":"EUVD-2026-90979"}
- Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.CNA ↗
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.