CVE-2026-69091 in admidio
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
Admidio before 5.0.11 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in the forum module when configured in login-only mode. The access control logic in modules/forum.php fails to validate the login-only configuration state, allowing unauthenticated attackers to read forum topics and posts by directly accessing the module with read-only parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting Admidio versions prior to 5.0.11 within its forum module functionality. This security weakness stems from inadequate access control validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the system's configured login-only mode state. The flaw specifically manifests in the modules/forum.php component where the application logic does not sufficiently enforce authentication requirements when the forum operates in restricted access mode.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental gap in the application's security architecture by allowing unauthorized users to circumvent normal authentication procedures through direct module access. Attackers can manipulate URL parameters and directly request forum content without proper credential validation, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should restrict access to authenticated users only. This misconfiguration creates an unintended information disclosure channel where sensitive forum data becomes accessible to any remote attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data exposure and system integrity compromise. When configured in login-only mode, administrators expect that only authenticated users can view forum content, yet the flawed access control logic permits unauthenticated read operations on topics and posts. This scenario violates core security principles of least privilege and proper access enforcement, potentially exposing confidential discussions, user communications, and system information that should remain restricted.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of access control mechanisms and represents a failure to properly validate the application's operational state before granting access privileges. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as an authentication bypass technique where adversaries exploit weaknesses in authentication logic to gain unauthorized access to protected resources without legitimate credentials.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application to Admidio versions 5.0.11 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper access control validation. Administrators should also review all forum module configurations to ensure that login-only modes are properly enforced and that no direct URL access paths exist that bypass authentication checks. Network-level restrictions can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by limiting direct access to sensitive modules while implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments of application logic and access control implementations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.