CVE-2026-109642 in ERPNext
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Frappe ERPNext before 15.110.0 and 16.x before 16.21.0 contains a missing authorization vulnerability in which certain endpoints fail to enforce proper authorization checks. Authenticated users can query these endpoints to read data beyond what their assigned role permits.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the Frappe ERPNext framework, specifically affecting versions prior to 15.110.0 and 16.x prior to version 16.21.0. This vulnerability is classified as an Insecure Direct Object Reference or Broken Access Control issue, where the application logic fails to validate whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary permissions to access specific data objects requested via API endpoints. The core technical deficiency lies in the server-side authorization middleware not properly checking role-based access control policies before processing requests for sensitive information. Consequently, any user who has successfully authenticated with valid credentials can manipulate request parameters to target resources associated with other users or higher-privileged roles, bypassing the intended security boundaries established by the system administrators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to perform unauthorized data exfiltration on a large scale. Since ERPNext systems typically manage highly sensitive business information including financial records, employee personal details, customer contact lists, and proprietary project data, the ability to read arbitrary data without proper authorization poses a severe risk to organizational confidentiality. An attacker could systematically enumerate resources by iterating through object identifiers or using known patterns in API requests to harvest significant volumes of private data. This capability effectively neutralizes the security benefits provided by user authentication layers, as possession of valid credentials is sufficient for exploitation regardless of the user's assigned role or privilege level within the application hierarchy.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management and CWE-862 Missing Authorization, which describe scenarios where software does not properly enforce separation between its own execution environment and external inputs regarding access rights. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, specifically the sub-technique related to exploiting misconfigured permissions within existing accounts. The attack vector is primarily remote and requires no special conditions other than network connectivity to the vulnerable service, making it a high-severity risk that can be exploited by low-skilled adversaries with basic knowledge of web application interactions or API usage.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must immediately upgrade their Frappe ERPNext instances to version 15.110.0 or later for the v15 branch, and version 16.21.0 or later for the v16 branch, as these releases contain the necessary patches to enforce strict authorization checks on all affected endpoints. In addition to patching, administrators should conduct a thorough review of user roles and permissions within the ERPNext interface to ensure that the principle of least privilege is strictly applied across all modules. It is also advisable to implement Web Application Firewall rules that monitor for anomalous patterns in API requests, such as rapid enumeration of resource IDs or access attempts from unexpected IP addresses, which may indicate active exploitation of this flaw while migration efforts are underway. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on role-based access control should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar authorization bypasses in future updates.