CVE-2026-52892 in Wekan
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
Wekan is open source kanban built with Meteor. Prior to 9.32, Wekan REST handlers in server/models/customFields.js use read-level Authentication.checkBoardAccess instead of write-level Authentication.checkBoardWriteAccess for mutating custom-field routes. A read-only board member can call POST, PUT, and DELETE handlers for /api/boards/:boardId/custom-fields and custom-field dropdown items to create, update, or delete board custom fields. This issue is fixed in version 9.32.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
The vulnerability identified in Wekan versions prior to 9.32 represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the platform's access control mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the REST API handlers within the server/models/customFields.js file, where the application incorrectly utilizes read-level authentication checks instead of the appropriate write-level authentication for operations that modify board custom fields. The flaw stems from a fundamental misclassification of privilege requirements within the application's security model, creating an unintended path for unauthorized modifications to board configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the improper use of Authentication.checkBoardAccess function rather than Authentication.checkBoardWriteAccess when processing mutating requests to custom field endpoints. This authentication bypass allows any user with read-only access to a board to execute POST, PUT, and DELETE operations against the /api/boards/:boardId/custom-fields API endpoint and related dropdown item modifications. The flaw operates at the application logic level where the authorization check hierarchy is incorrectly implemented, effectively granting elevated privileges to users who should only possess read-only permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification capabilities, potentially enabling malicious actors to manipulate board configurations in ways that could compromise project integrity and workflow processes. An attacker with read-only access could introduce new custom fields, alter existing field properties, or remove critical configuration elements that might disrupt team collaboration or data consistency. This unauthorized modification capability represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that directly violates the principle of least privilege and could be exploited to create persistent backdoors or manipulate project tracking systems.
Security practitioners should recognize this issue as a classic example of improper access control implementation, aligning with CWE-285 which addresses authorization flaws in software applications. The vulnerability demonstrates how authentication check granularity can become a critical security weakness when developers fail to properly distinguish between read and write operations within their access control frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage insufficient authorization checks to gain elevated system capabilities, potentially leading to further compromise of the underlying platform infrastructure.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires implementing proper authentication checks that differentiate between read-only and write-level operations, ensuring that all mutating endpoints require appropriate write access permissions. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to Wekan version 9.32 or later, while also conducting thorough security assessments of their board access controls. Additionally, system administrators should review existing board configurations to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred prior to the patch deployment, and consider implementing additional monitoring for custom field modification activities as a defensive measure against potential exploitation attempts.