CVE-2026-62231 in Grav
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2026
The Grav API plugin (getgrav/grav-plugin-api) before 1.0.6 contains an authorization bypass: API keys can be created with a restricted scopes array, but the ApiKeyAuthenticator class never reads or enforces these scopes. It loads and returns the owning user's full account object, so a key created with limited scopes (e.g. read-only) can perform any write, delete, or administrative operation the owning user is authorized for. Fixed in 1.0.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2026
The vulnerability resides within the Grav API plugin version 1.0.5 and earlier, where a critical authorization bypass flaw exists in the ApiKeyAuthenticator class implementation. This issue stems from improper enforcement of scope restrictions that are supposed to govern API key permissions. The plugin allows administrators to create API keys with specific scope limitations, such as read-only access, but fails to validate these constraints during authentication processes. The vulnerability manifests because the system loads and returns the complete user account object regardless of the scopes defined for a particular key, effectively undermining the intended access control mechanisms. This flaw represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices and violates fundamental principles of least privilege enforcement that are essential for maintaining system integrity.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the authentication layer where the ApiKeyAuthenticator class retrieves user credentials and account information without properly validating or enforcing the scope restrictions associated with each API key. When an API key is created with limited permissions, the system stores these scope definitions but fails to reference them during subsequent authentication checks. This creates a scenario where any operation performed using a seemingly restricted key can escalate to full administrative privileges, as the authenticator simply returns the complete user object without verifying whether the requested operation falls within the defined scope boundaries. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass intended access controls through a simple omission in the authorization logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for systems relying on Grav's API plugin for content management or administrative operations. An attacker who gains access to a limited-scope API key could perform write, delete, or administrative operations that would normally be restricted to users with full privileges. This includes modifying website content, deleting files, creating new user accounts, and potentially escalating their access further within the system. The vulnerability affects all operations that require authentication through the API plugin, making it particularly dangerous for web applications where API keys are used for automated processes or third-party integrations. The scope of potential damage increases when considering that many systems may have API keys with broad permissions that could be exploited for lateral movement or privilege escalation attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity standards and frameworks including CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and specifically relates to the concept of insufficient authorization checks within authentication mechanisms. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage weak access controls to gain higher-level permissions than initially intended. The issue also connects to the principle of least privilege violations and represents a failure in implementing proper role-based access control (RBAC) mechanisms. Organizations using Grav CMS with the affected API plugin should immediately implement mitigation measures including updating to version 1.0.6 or later, reviewing existing API keys for scope consistency, and monitoring access logs for unauthorized activities. The fix in version 1.0.6 addresses the core issue by implementing proper scope validation within the ApiKeyAuthenticator class, ensuring that API key permissions are enforced against all operations performed through the authentication layer.