CVE-2026-32715 in anything-llm
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2026
AnythingLLM is an application that turns pieces of content into context that any LLM can use as references during chatting. In 1.11.1 and earlier, The two generic system-preferences endpoints allow manager role access, while every other surface that touches the same settings is restricted to admin only. Because of this inconsistency, a manager can call the generic endpoints directly to read plaintext SQL database credentials and overwrite admin-only global settings such as the default system prompt and the Community Hub API key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-32715 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within the AnythingLLM application ecosystem. This flaw exists in versions 1.11.1 and earlier, where the application implements inconsistent access control mechanisms for system configuration endpoints. The core problem stems from the application's failure to maintain uniform authorization policies across its interface surfaces, creating a dangerous inconsistency that directly undermines the security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in the application's role-based access control system. Specifically, two generic system-preferences endpoints are incorrectly configured to allow manager role users to access sensitive system configurations, while all other interfaces that interact with the same underlying settings properly restrict access to admin-level users only. This inconsistency creates a direct attack vector where a malicious manager user can bypass normal security boundaries through direct API endpoint calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. A manager role user can directly access plaintext SQL database credentials through the improperly protected endpoints, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. Additionally, the same attacker can overwrite critical admin-only global settings including the default system prompt and Community Hub API key, which can fundamentally alter the application's behavior and potentially enable further attacks. This dual capability of credential exposure and configuration manipulation creates a comprehensive compromise scenario that extends far beyond simple privilege escalation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms where authorization checks are inconsistently applied across different interfaces. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it allows privilege escalation through legitimate manager accounts that should not possess administrative capabilities. Furthermore, the exposure of plaintext database credentials directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1528 Steal Application Access Token and CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information.
The recommended mitigations include implementing consistent access control policies across all system configuration interfaces, ensuring that all endpoints touching the same sensitive data require identical authorization levels. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions that address this inconsistency, while also implementing proper input validation and access logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, credential management should be reviewed to ensure that database credentials are not exposed in plaintext within application configuration files or API responses. The security model should be audited to identify and correct similar inconsistencies across other endpoints that might present similar privilege escalation opportunities.