CVE-2026-50749 in Answer
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2026
Improper Authorization vulnerability in Apache Answer.
This issue affects Apache Answer: through 2.0.1.
Any authenticated user can reject arbitrary pending edit-revisions without review permission due to a missing authorization check on the reject operation. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.0.2, which fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2026
The vulnerability in Apache Answer represents a critical improper authorization flaw that undermines the platform's access control mechanisms. This weakness allows any authenticated user to perform administrative actions without possessing the required privileges, specifically targeting the rejection of pending edit revisions. The vulnerability exists within the application's permission system where proper authorization checks are missing for the reject operation, creating an exploitable path for privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to disrupt the content moderation workflow and potentially cause data integrity issues within the platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions during the rejection process of edit revisions. When a user attempts to reject a pending revision, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges required for such operations. This authorization bypass occurs at the application logic level where the system assumes all authenticated users can perform certain administrative functions without proper permission verification. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates silently without generating any audit logs or error messages, making detection difficult for system administrators and security monitoring tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the integrity of content management within Apache Answer installations. An attacker with basic user credentials can manipulate the revision workflow, effectively bypassing the intended moderation process that should only be accessible to authorized administrators or moderators. This could lead to unauthorized content modifications, disruption of legitimate user contributions, and potential data corruption if the system allows arbitrary rejection of valid revisions. The vulnerability affects all versions through 2.0.1, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases without proper authorization controls.
Security researchers categorize this vulnerability under CWE-285 which specifically addresses improper authorization conditions in software systems. The flaw aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts for persistence and privilege escalation, as unauthorized users can exploit legitimate authentication mechanisms to perform privileged actions. Organizations running affected Apache Answer versions face significant risk of content manipulation and potential compromise of their moderation processes, particularly those with active user communities where revision control is critical. The issue demonstrates the importance of implementing proper access controls even for seemingly routine administrative functions within web applications.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 2.0.2 which contains the necessary authorization checks to prevent unauthorized users from rejecting pending revisions. This update implements proper permission validation that ensures only users with appropriate administrative privileges can perform rejection operations. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual activity patterns related to revision management and consider implementing role-based access controls to further restrict permissions. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments of their Apache Answer deployments to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure all users understand the importance of keeping software components up to date with security patches. The fix addresses the root cause by enforcing proper authorization boundaries that align with standard security practices for content management systems and collaborative platforms.