CVE-2026-95263 in Feehi
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Feehi CMS 2.1.1 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. A low-privilege backend administrator with administrator-update permission can change the password of the built-in super administrator account. The server does not enforce protection for this account, and the update scenario does not require the old password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability identified in Feehi CMS version 2.1.1 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the administrative backend interface. This flaw allows an attacker with relatively low privileges to escalate their rights significantly by modifying credentials for high-privilege accounts. Specifically, any user authenticated as a backend administrator possessing only the administrator-update permission is able to change the password of the built-in super administrator account without providing proof of ownership or prior knowledge of the existing password. This behavior indicates that the application fails to implement proper authorization checks when handling sensitive administrative actions, allowing unauthorized modification of critical system credentials based solely on the presence of a basic update role rather than verifying the user's actual authority level for such high-risk operations.
From a technical perspective, this issue stems from an improper enforcement of access control policies at the server side. The application logic does not validate whether the requesting user has sufficient privileges to perform password resets or modifications for super administrator accounts. Furthermore, the update scenario is designed in a way that omits the requirement for entering the old password before setting a new one. This design choice removes a crucial layer of security verification intended to ensure that only legitimate account holders can change their credentials. By bypassing this check and failing to restrict access based on role-based permissions, the system exposes itself to unauthorized administrative takeover. The lack of protection for the built-in super administrator account exacerbates the severity, as this account typically holds unrestricted access to all application features and data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, leading directly to a complete compromise of the web application's integrity and confidentiality. An attacker exploiting this flaw can gain full administrative control over the Feehi CMS instance by simply resetting the super administrator password. Once authenticated as the super administrator, the attacker can execute arbitrary code, access sensitive user data, modify website content, install malicious plugins or themes, and potentially pivot to attack other systems within the network if the web server is not properly isolated. This effectively nullifies any security measures implemented at higher levels of privilege, rendering role-based access controls ineffective for protecting critical administrative functions. The ability to change passwords without old password verification also facilitates persistent access even if initial credentials are rotated or compromised through other means.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-269, which describes Improper Authorization where a user is able to perform actions they should not be allowed to do due to insufficient checks on their privileges. Additionally, it relates closely to CWE-352, Cross-Site Request Forgery if the vulnerability can be triggered via malicious requests from other sites, although the core issue remains the lack of proper authorization logic. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw enables techniques associated with Account Manipulation and Privilege Escalation, specifically allowing an adversary to create or modify accounts for persistence or lateral movement within the compromised environment. The exploitation path is straightforward, requiring only valid credentials for a low-privilege admin account, which are often easier to obtain through phishing, credential stuffing, or other initial access vectors compared to super administrator credentials.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict role-based access control and enhancing authentication protocols. Developers should immediately patch the application by enforcing granular permission checks that verify if the requesting user holds specific high-level privileges before allowing any password modification for administrative accounts. It is essential to require the entry of the current password during any credential change process, ensuring that only legitimate users with knowledge of existing secrets can update them. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for all administrative logins adds a critical layer of defense against unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws across other modules within the CMS. Until patches are applied, administrators should restrict backend access as much as possible using network-level controls such as IP whitelisting for admin panels and ensure that all user accounts adhere to the principle of least privilege, avoiding unnecessary assignment of update permissions to low-privilege users who do not require them for their daily tasks.