CVE-2026-113710 in Apostrophe
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system. Prior to 4.33.0, the self-service password-change endpoint verifies the current password but does not use the login module’s failed-attempt counter, throttle, delay, or lockout mechanism. An attacker with a valid authenticated session can submit repeated guesses for the current password without receiving a lockout or throttle response. This issue is fixed in version 4.33.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
ApostropheCMS is an open-source content management system built on Node.js, widely used by organizations to manage digital content and user interactions. A significant security deficiency was identified in the self-service password-change functionality prior to version 4.33.0. This specific endpoint allows authenticated users to update their own passwords without requiring administrative intervention or multi-factor authentication steps beyond verifying the current password. The vulnerability stems from a failure to integrate this critical account management operation with the system’s broader identity and access management controls, specifically regarding brute-force protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw lies in how the application handles authentication validation for password changes. While the endpoint correctly verifies that the user knows their current password before allowing a change, it bypasses the login module's security infrastructure. This means that features such as failed-attempt counters, rate limiting throttles, exponential delays between attempts, and account lockout policies are not applied to this specific API route. Consequently, an attacker who has obtained or stolen a valid authenticated session token can interact with this endpoint repeatedly without triggering any defensive responses from the server. The system treats each password guess as if it were part of a fresh login attempt that had already passed initial authentication checks, ignoring the cumulative risk associated with rapid-fire guessing attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables brute-force attacks against user accounts even when they are authenticated. In many web applications, once a session is established, certain actions are considered safe because the identity has been verified. However, changing a password effectively hijacks the account by replacing the credentials with new ones controlled by the attacker. Without rate limiting or lockout mechanisms, an adversary can automate thousands of guesses per minute to discover the correct current password and subsequently change it. This leads directly to unauthorized access and full account takeover. The severity is heightened because this attack vector does not require network-level blocking or IP-based restrictions; it exploits a logical flaw within the application layer that persists regardless of external security controls like firewalls or intrusion detection systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-307, which describes Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, and is also relevant to CWE-640, Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password, as it involves the modification of authentication credentials without adequate safeguards. In terms of MITRE ATT&CK mapping, this flaw facilitates Credential Access through Brute Force techniques (T1110), specifically allowing attackers to bypass account lockout protections that are typically designed to mitigate such attacks. The lack of throttling means that automated tools can efficiently exhaust password spaces or guess common passwords without detection or interruption.
To mitigate this issue and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other systems, developers must ensure that all endpoints capable of modifying authentication credentials implement the same security controls as login pages. This includes enforcing strict rate limiting based on user identity rather than just IP address to protect against distributed attacks using multiple sessions. Implementing exponential backoff delays after a few failed attempts is essential to slow down automated guessing tools. Additionally, account lockout policies should be applied consistently across all authentication-related actions, including password resets and changes. Organizations running versions of ApostropheCMS prior to 4.33.0 must upgrade immediately to the patched version where these controls have been integrated into the self-service password change workflow. Until an upgrade is possible, deploying a Web Application Firewall with behavioral analysis capabilities may help detect anomalous patterns of rapid credential modification attempts, although this is not a substitute for fixing the underlying application logic.