CVE-2026-48790 in Turso CLI
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Turso CLI is the command line interface (CLI) to the open-source database Turso. Versions prior to 1.0.26 persist the user's Turso platform JWT to `settings.json` using Viper's default `configPermissions` of `0o644`, leaving the credential file world-readable on standard Linux and macOS systems. Any other local UID on the host can read the file and recover the platform JWT, which grants full Turso platform access scoped to the user's organizations. Version 1.0.26 patches the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
The vulnerability in Turso CLI affects versions prior to 1.0.26 and represents a critical security flaw in how the application handles authentication credentials. This issue stems from improper file system permissions management within the configuration persistence mechanism, specifically when storing user credentials in the settings.json file. The vulnerability allows local privilege escalation through unauthorized credential access, as the JWT token used for platform authentication is stored with world-readable permissions by default.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within Viper's configuration management system where the default configPermissions setting of 0o644 is applied to the settings.json file. This permission structure grants read access to all users on the system while restricting write access to the owner only, creating an inherent security risk when sensitive authentication tokens are stored in plaintext format. The JWT token stored in this configuration file provides comprehensive platform access scoped to the user's organizational permissions, making it a highly valuable target for attackers.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface for local users who may not have direct access to the system but can still read the configuration file through standard file system operations. Any other local user account with UID access can simply read the settings.json file and extract the JWT token, which then grants them full administrative privileges within the Turso platform. This scenario represents a classic case of insecure credential storage that violates fundamental security principles for protecting authentication tokens.
The vulnerability manifests as a direct violation of several security standards including CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), while also aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) when attackers leverage compromised credentials for further exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to include potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and unauthorized modifications to database configurations within the affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper file system permissions management where authentication tokens are stored with restricted access permissions such as 0o600 or 0o640, ensuring that only the owning user can read the configuration file. Additionally, organizations should implement automated monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts and consider implementing more robust credential management solutions that separate sensitive data from configuration files. The patched version 1.0.26 addresses this issue by correcting the permission settings used when persisting the JWT token to prevent world-readable access.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation in CLI applications and highlights the necessity of following security best practices for credential storage in open-source projects. The issue serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple configuration management can introduce significant security risks when proper access controls are not implemented, particularly in multi-user environments where local file system permissions become critical factors in overall system security posture.