CVE-2026-113649 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 and 4.34.0 of core ApostropheCMS, an editor who can import an enabled content type but lacks its stronger publication role can cause import write helpers to create, replace, or remove published variants without the normal publish permission and lifecycle checks. This issue is fixed in import-export 3.7.1 and ApostropheCMS 4.34.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
ApostropheCMS serves as a prominent open-source content management system built on Node.js, designed to facilitate collaborative content creation and publishing workflows through role-based access control mechanisms. The vulnerability identified in versions prior to the import-export module version 3.7.1 and core ApostropheCMS version 4.34.0 represents a critical flaw within the administrative interface's data ingestion capabilities. Specifically, this issue resides in how the system handles content imports when executed by users with specific, limited permissions. The architecture of ApostropheCMS relies on distinct roles to manage different aspects of content lifecycle management, such as editing versus publishing. However, the implementation of the import-export module failed to adequately enforce these role boundaries during the data processing phase, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through administrative functions that should be restricted based on user clearance levels.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability is an insufficient authorization check within the import-write helpers used by the system. When an editor possesses permission to import and enable specific content types but lacks the stronger publication role typically required to modify live or published variants, the application incorrectly allows these users to bypass standard publish permissions and lifecycle checks. This architectural oversight means that during the execution of an import operation, the backend processes do not verify whether the initiating user has the requisite authority to alter published states. Consequently, a malicious actor with editor-level access can manipulate the internal state of content items in ways reserved for higher-privileged administrators or publishers. The flaw essentially decouples the action of importing data from the necessary security validations that should govern its finalization and publication status within the CMS database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it allows an attacker to create, replace, or remove published variants of content without authorization. This capability undermines the integrity of the content management workflow by enabling unauthorized modifications to live website data. An adversary could potentially deface public-facing pages by replacing existing content with malicious material, insert phishing links into previously approved articles, or delete critical information entirely. Furthermore, because these actions occur through a legitimate administrative feature rather than an external attack vector like SQL injection or cross-site scripting, they may evade standard web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that focus on network-level anomalies. The ability to remove published variants also poses a risk of denial-of-service against the organization's online presence by silently taking down important pages without triggering immediate alerts associated with unauthorized login attempts from external sources.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, which describes Improper Privilege Management, as it involves an actor exercising permissions beyond their assigned role. Additionally, it maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where the attacker uses legitimate credentials and privileges within a system to maintain access or escalate influence. The specific behavior of modifying published content also relates to CWE-264, Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, highlighting a failure in enforcing least privilege principles during data manipulation operations. To mitigate this risk, organizations running ApostropheCMS must immediately upgrade the import-export module to version 3.7.1 or later and ensure that the core ApostropheCMS installation is updated to version 4.34.0 or newer. These updates contain the necessary code patches to enforce strict authorization checks during import operations, ensuring that users without publication rights cannot alter published variants. Until upgrades are applied, administrators should restrict who has access to the content import functionality and closely monitor audit logs for any unusual changes to published content states initiated by editor-level accounts.