CVE-2026-61835 in Directus
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Prior to 12.0.0, the SSRF protection on Directus's file-import-from-URL feature can be bypassed using the address 0.0.0.0 because api/src/request/is-denied-ip.ts treats 0.0.0.0 as a keyword for local interfaces but never blocks the literal address itself. On Linux and macOS, connecting to 0.0.0.0 reaches localhost, so an authenticated user with file-upload rights can make the server fetch internal services through the /files/import endpoint and retrieve the response as a downloadable file. This issue is fixed in version 12.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
The vulnerability in Directus involves a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) flaw that affects versions prior to 12.0.0, specifically within the file-import-from-URL functionality. This weakness stems from improper validation of IP address inputs in the api/src/request/is-denied-ip.ts module where the system recognizes 0.0.0.0 as a keyword representing local interfaces but fails to block the literal IP address itself. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement, allowing malicious actors to bypass intended security restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the difference between how network interfaces are handled on different operating systems. When 0.0.0.0 is used as an address in Linux and macOS environments, it resolves to localhost, effectively allowing connections to internal services that would normally be restricted from external access. An authenticated user with file-upload privileges can leverage this by initiating a file import request through the /files/import endpoint, causing the Directus server to fetch content from internal services and return the response as a downloadable file. This creates a pathway for attackers to potentially access sensitive internal resources or data that should remain isolated from external exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using Directus versions before 12.0.0, as it allows authenticated users with limited permissions to escalate their access and potentially gain unauthorized information disclosure. The attack vector requires only a user account with file upload capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such privileges are granted more broadly. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-918, which covers Server-Side Request Forgery, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The flaw essentially transforms a controlled file import mechanism into a reconnaissance and data exfiltration tool that can be leveraged against internal services.
Organizations should immediately update to Directus version 12.0.0 or later to resolve this vulnerability, as the fix properly implements IP address validation by blocking the literal 0.0.0.0 address. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level firewalls to restrict outbound connections from the Directus server, monitoring file import activities for suspicious URL patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of API endpoints that handle external resource access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation and proper network boundary enforcement in web applications, particularly those handling user-provided URLs or IP addresses. Security teams should also review similar patterns in other components of their application stack to identify potential analogous weaknesses that could be exploited through similar bypass techniques.