CVE-2026-31891 in Cockpit
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2026
Cockpit is a headless content management system. Any Cockpit CMS instance running version 2.13.4 or earlier with API access enabled is potentially affected by a a SQL Injection vulnerability in the MongoLite Aggregation Optimizer. Any deployment where the `/api/content/aggregate/{model}` endpoint is publicly accessible or reachable by untrusted users may be vulnerable, and attackers in possession of a valid read-only API key (the lowest privilege level) can exploit this vulnerability — no admin access is required. An attacker can inject arbitrary SQL via unsanitized field names in aggregation queries, bypass the `_state=1` published-content filter to access unpublished or restricted content, and extract unauthorized data from the underlying SQLite content database. This vulnerability has been patched in version 2.13.5. The fix applies the same field-name sanitization introduced in v2.13.3 for `toJsonPath()` to the `toJsonExtractRaw()` method in `lib/MongoLite/Aggregation/Optimizer.php`, closing the injection vector in the Aggregation Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2026-31891 affects Cockpit CMS instances running version 2.13.4 or earlier with API access enabled, representing a critical SQL injection weakness within the MongoLite Aggregation Optimizer component. This flaw exists in the `/api/content/aggregate/{model}` endpoint which can be publicly accessible, creating an attack surface where untrusted users can exploit the vulnerability. The security implications are particularly severe because attackers can leverage a valid read-only API key to execute malicious injections, eliminating the need for administrative privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into queries, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data exploitation through database queries.
The technical exploitation occurs through unsanitized field names in aggregation queries, specifically targeting the `toJsonExtractRaw()` method within `lib/MongoLite/Aggregation/Optimizer.php`. Attackers can inject arbitrary SQL commands that bypass the default `_state=1` filter designed to restrict access to published content only, thereby gaining unauthorized access to unpublished or restricted data. The vulnerability allows for extraction of unauthorized data from the underlying SQLite content database, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the CMS content management system. The flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation and sanitization, where field names passed to the aggregation optimizer are not properly escaped or filtered before being incorporated into database queries, creating a direct path for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate the content delivery system and potentially escalate their access within the CMS environment. Organizations running vulnerable Cockpit installations face risks of data exposure, content tampering, and potential further compromise through lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability affects any deployment where the API endpoint is accessible to untrusted users, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible websites or applications that utilize Cockpit for content management. The fix implemented in version 2.13.5 addresses the core issue by applying the same field-name sanitization techniques previously introduced in version 2.13.3 for the `toJsonPath()` method, specifically targeting the `toJsonExtractRaw()` method to close the injection vector.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all Cockpit CMS installations running version 2.13.4 or earlier, as the vulnerability allows for unauthorized data access with minimal privileges required. System administrators should also review their API endpoint access controls and implement additional network-level restrictions to limit exposure of the vulnerable `/api/content/aggregate/{model}` endpoint. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for suspicious API access patterns and implementing proper input validation measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Cockpit deployments to identify any potential unauthorized access points and ensure that all API keys are properly secured with appropriate privilege levels. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect content management systems from injection-based attacks.