CVE-2026-56396 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2026
phpMyFAQ before 4.1.4 contains missing authorization vulnerabilities in editUser() and updateUserRights() endpoints that allow authenticated administrators to escalate privileges. Non-SuperAdmin users with edit_user permission can set is_superadmin flag or grant arbitrary rights to escalate to SuperAdmin access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2026
The vulnerability described in this CVE affects phpMyFAQ versions prior to 4.1.4 and represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the application's privilege management system. This issue stems from insufficient validation within the editUser() and updateUserRights() endpoints, which are designed to manage user permissions and administrative privileges. The flaw allows authenticated administrators to exploit their existing permissions and escalate their access level to super administrator status, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this database management tool.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's user privilege validation mechanisms. When non-superadmin users with edit_user permission attempt to modify user accounts through the affected endpoints, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has the authority to grant super administrator privileges. This missing authorization check creates a privilege escalation vector where malicious or compromised administrators can manipulate user flags and permissions to gain unrestricted access to the entire phpMyFAQ installation. The is_superadmin flag can be directly set by users who should not possess this capability, effectively bypassing the intended role-based access control model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security architecture of phpMyFAQ installations. Organizations using affected versions face the risk of unauthorized privilege elevation by any authenticated user with edit_user permissions, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control over database management operations. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple administrators exist with varying permission levels, as it enables lateral movement and privilege consolidation without requiring additional authentication credentials or exploiting other attack vectors. The implications are severe because it allows for unauthorized modification of sensitive database configurations and potential data compromise.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests as an insufficient check for user permissions during administrative operations, creating a gap in the authorization framework that allows privilege escalation. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage existing authenticated sessions to gain higher privileges. The affected endpoints represent a critical attack surface that requires proper input validation and authorization verification. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to version 4.1.4 or later, implementing additional monitoring for privilege changes, and reviewing user permission assignments to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper authorization boundaries within web applications, particularly those managing sensitive database operations. The flaw highlights the necessity of implementing robust access control mechanisms that validate not only the existence of user permissions but also the legitimacy of privilege changes requested by authenticated users. Security teams should consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized privilege modifications and establish baseline user behavior patterns to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even authenticated users with legitimate access rights must be properly constrained to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation within web applications.