CVE-2026-71869: Orval: Import-time RCE via array-items default -> zod module-level template literal
Orval generates type-safe JavaScript clients in TypeScript from OpenAPI v3 and Swagger v2 specifications. Prior to 8.21.0, a ${...} expression or backtick in an array item default is emitted into a module-level template literal emitted by zod schema generation without safe encoding. This permits attacker-controlled JavaScript to be evaluated when the generated zod schema module is imported, resulting in code execution in the developer, CI, test, or application environment. The affected code is packages/zod/src/index.ts function formatDefaultValue. This issue is fixed in version 8.21.0.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
orvalto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 8.21.0
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exposed to this issue?
Users of Orval versions before 8.21.0 are exposed when they generate Zod schemas from an OpenAPI or Swagger specification containing a malicious array item default. The resulting risk applies wherever the generated schema module is imported, including developer, CI, test, or application environments.
What does an attacker need to exploit it?
An attacker needs control over, or the ability to influence, an API specification processed by the affected Orval Zod schema generator. The specification must include a ${...} expression or backtick in an array item default so that it is emitted unsafely into a module-level template literal.
When does code execution occur?
The attacker-controlled JavaScript is evaluated when the generated Zod schema module is imported. Generation alone is not described as the execution trigger; importing the generated module is.
How can this be remediated?
Upgrade Orval to version 8.21.0, which fixes the affected formatDefaultValue handling in packages/zod/src/index.ts. Until upgrading, avoid generating or importing Zod schema output from untrusted or unreviewed API specifications, especially specifications with array item defaults.