CVE-2026-44301: Hugo is a static site generator

Routine

HIGH 8.1UPGRADE

CVE-2026-44301 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting hugo. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Hugo is a static site generator. From 0.43 to before 0.161.0, when building a Hugo site that uses Node-based asset pipelines (PostCSS, Babel, TailwindCSS), Hugo invoked the configured Node tools without restrictions on file system access. As a result, executing hugo against an untrusted site could allow code running through these tools to read or write files outside the project's working directory. Users who do not use PostCSS, Babel, or Tailwind

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 80%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2026-05-12
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: gohugo

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-12 22:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 14:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gohugo hugo UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.43 and < 0.161.0

Fixed in: 0.161.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.43

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hugo || rpm -q hugo || hugo --version

2. UPGRADE to 0.161.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade hugo

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade hugo

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.43 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hugo sudo apt install hugo=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.43> sudo apt-mark hold hugo

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list hugo sudo dnf downgrade hugo-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.43> sudo dnf versionlock add hugo

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-44301?

hugo: upgrade to 0.161.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-44301 being exploited?

CVE-2026-44301 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-44301 affect?

CVE-2026-44301 affects hugo. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). Hugo is a static site generator. From 0.43 to before 0.161.0, when building a Hugo site that uses Node-based asset pipelines (PostCSS, Babel, TailwindCSS), Hugo invoked the configured Node tools without restrictions on file system access. A

How urgent is CVE-2026-44301?

Priority 33/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-50134 MEDIUM 5.8 UPGRADE Hugo is a static site generator
CVE-2026-58403 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Hugo is a static site generator
CVE-2026-58404 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Hugo is a static site generator
CVE-2026-50133 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE Hugo is a static site generator
CVE-2026-50135 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE Hugo is a static site generator

References

← Back to latest CVEs