HKUDS LightRAG up to 1.5.3 lightrag/api/auth.py combined_dependency X-API-Key improper authentication

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in HKUDS LightRAG up to 1.5.3. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function combined_dependency of the file lightrag/api/auth.py. Performing a manipulation of the argument X-API-Key results in improper authentication. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-61740. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in HKUDS LightRAG up to 1.5.3. This affects the function combined_dependency of the file lightrag/api/auth.py. The manipulation of the argument X-API-Key with an unknown input leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

LightRAG provides simple and fast retrieval-augmented generation. Prior to 1.5.4, when LightRAG is deployed with LIGHTRAG_API_KEY set but AUTH_ACCOUNTS unset, X-API-Key protection can be bypassed because lightrag/api/auth.py falls back to a hardcoded DEFAULT_TOKEN_SECRET, /auth-status and /login can mint guest JWTs, and combined_dependency in lightrag/api/utils_api.py accepts a valid guest token before checking the API key. A remote unauthenticated attacker can call endpoints guarded by combined_auth, including document read, upload, deletion, graph mutation, and query endpoints. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.5.4.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-61740 since 07/10/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 1.5.4 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Vendor

• HKUDS

Name

• LightRAG

Version

• 1.5.0
• 1.5.1
• 1.5.2
• 1.5.3

Website

• Product: https://github.com/HKUDS/LightRAG/

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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