CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2026-33943 — Happy DOM is a JavaScript implementation of a web browser without its graphical user interface

Critical CVSS 9.8

Happy DOM is a JavaScript implementation of a web browser without its graphical user interface. In versions 15.10.0 through 20.8.7, a code injection vulnerability in `ECMAScriptModuleCompiler` allows an attacker to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) by injecting arbitrary JavaScript expressions inside `export { }` declarations in ES module scripts processed by happy-dom. The compiler directly interpolates unsanitized content into generated code as an executable expression, and the quote filter does not strip backticks, allowing template literal-based payloads to bypass sanitization. Version 20.8.8 fixes the issue.

Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Published
2026-03-27
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
javascript/npm
Weaknesses
CWE-94, CWE-917

Affected products

  • capricorn86 / happy_dom

Matched remediation archetype

Command, code, expression, and template injection

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Check exposure

  • Trace untrusted values to process execution, interpreters, evaluators, template engines, dynamic imports, and administrative scripting features.
  • Determine whether the affected path is reachable across each trust boundary and which service account or host privilege it inherits.
  • Review configuration for optional execution features, unsafe compatibility modes, and shell invocation.

Remediate safely

  • Replace string-built commands or evaluated code with fixed operations and structured argument APIs that do not invoke a shell.
  • Use strict allowlists for operation identifiers and reject unexpected input before it reaches any interpreter.
  • Update the affected component and add inert regression tests covering metacharacters, encoding variants, and alternate request paths.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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