CVE-2026-112956 in ApostropheCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system. Prior to 3.7.1 of the import-export module, duplicate-import continuation accepts client-controlled replacement choices without binding them to a user-owned server-side analysis or authorizing the canonical target. On an import-enabled localized type, a contributor with draft editing authority can cross the publication boundary by selecting a published document for replacement, although the current assessment is based on remediation review rather than a repeated end-to-end reproduction. This issue is fixed in version 3.7.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
ApostropheCMS represents a widely utilized open-source content management system built upon the Node.js runtime environment, designed to facilitate flexible and modular website development. Within this ecosystem, the import-export module serves as a critical utility for migrating data between environments or restoring backups. However, prior to version 3.7.1, this module contained a significant authorization flaw that allowed unauthorized state transitions within content objects. The core technical deficiency lies in how the duplicate-import continuation process handles client-controlled replacement choices. Specifically, when an administrator or contributor initiates an import operation involving localized types of content, the system accepts instructions to replace existing documents with imported ones without sufficiently binding these actions to a rigorous server-side analysis that validates user permissions against the specific target resource. This lack of proper authorization checks means that the canonical target document is not adequately secured during the replacement process, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on the ability of users with limited privileges to cross publication boundaries in ways they should not be permitted. A contributor who possesses only draft editing authority typically lacks the rights to modify or delete published content. However, due to the described flaw, such a user can exploit the import mechanism to select and replace an already published document during the continuation phase of a duplicate import operation. This effectively allows low-privileged users to alter live site content, bypassing standard workflow controls that separate draft states from public-facing publication states. While current assessments rely heavily on remediation reviews rather than repeated end-to-end reproductions in active production environments, the logical structure of the flaw presents a clear and exploitable risk vector for any instance where import functionality is enabled and accessible to non-administrative users with editing capabilities.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, as it involves an actor exercising privileges beyond their intended level of access. Furthermore, the technique of manipulating state transitions through input parameters without proper validation is characteristic of CWE-807: Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision. In terms of adversary tactics, this behavior maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and unauthorized account modification, specifically within the context of content management systems where data integrity is paramount for maintaining trust in published information. The failure to enforce role-based access control during complex multi-step operations like imports highlights a gap in implementing defense-in-depth strategies for state changes.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running ApostropheCMS must ensure that their instances are upgraded to version 3.7.1 or later, where the import-export module has been patched to correctly bind replacement choices to authorized server-side analysis. For environments unable to immediately upgrade, administrators should restrict access to the import and export functionalities exclusively to users with full administrative privileges, thereby removing the attack surface from contributors who only require draft editing rights. Additionally, implementing strict input validation on all parameters passed during import operations can provide an additional layer of security by ensuring that target identifiers are verified against current user permissions before any state changes are committed to the database. Regular audits of user roles and permission assignments within the CMS administration panel are also recommended to ensure that privilege boundaries remain intact across all system modules, not just those explicitly identified in vulnerability reports.