CVE-2026-28696

Description

The GraphQL directive `@parseRefs`, intended to parse internal reference tags (e.g., `{user:1:email}`), can be abused by both authenticated users and unauthenticated guests (if a Public Schema is enabled) to access sensitive attributes of any element in the CMS. The implementation in `Elements::parseRefs` fails to perform authorization checks, allowing attackers to read data they are not authorized to view. ## Vulnerability Details `craft\services\Elements::parseRefs` identifies reference tags and resolves them using `_getRefTokenReplacement`. This method fetches the referenced element and accesses the specified attribute via $element->$attribute. - Missing Auth Check: It bypasses `canView()` checks. - Polymorphic Access: `getElementTypeByRefHandle` allows referencing any element type (entry, asset, user, category). - Custom Field Access: Since Craft elements use `__get()` to resolve custom field handles, an attacker is not limited to core attributes. They can exfiltrate any custom field data by enumerating the field handle (e.g. `{entry:123:privateNotes}`). ## Attack Vectors 1. Privilege Escalation / User Data Leak An attacker can enumerate sensitive attributes of administrators or other users. - Payload: `{user:1:email}` or `{user:1:photoId}` 2. Arbitrary Property Reflection & Server-Side Logic Execution The vulnerability allows reflecting any accessible property of the underlying Element model. - Username/Admin Enumeration: `{user:1:username}` (Confirmed: returns admin), {user:1:admin}. - Internal Path Disclosure: Accessing methods that trigger errors (e.g., `{user:1:authKey}`) exposes full server stack traces in the GraphQL error response (e.g., Exception: No user session token exists with paths like `/var/www/html/...`). 3. IDOR on Private Entries & Assets (Polymorphism) The vulnerability is not limited to Users. Reference tags can target any element type. - Payload: `{entry:456:myConfidentialField}` (Bypasses canView checks). - Asset Path Leakage: `{volume:1:path}` can expose internal file system paths. 4. Unauthenticated Exploitation (Public Schema) Confirmed locally. The `@parseRefs` directive is active in the Public Schema. By injecting a payload into a public-facing field (e.g., a "News" entry title), an unauthenticated guest can trigger the resolution and retrieve the sensitive output. ## Steps to Reproduce 1. Setup (Admin Panel): - Create a Section (e.g., "News") and an Entry Type. - Create a new Entry in that section. Set the Title to the payload: {user:1:username} or {user:1:email}. - Go to GraphQL > Schemas > Public Schema. Enable it, and ensure "Query for elements in the Site" and "News" section queries are checked. 2. Execute Exploit (Unauthenticated): - Send a POST request to http://localhost:8000/index.php?action=graphql/api: ``` curl -X POST \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"query": "{ entries { title @parseRefs } }"}' ``` 3. Observation: - The API returns `{"data":{"entries":[{"title":"admin"}]}}` (or the email). - Using `{user:1:authKey}` triggers an internal server error that leaks the full server path in string format. ## Impact - Critical Information Disclosure: Full PII enumeration (emails, usernames). - System Information Leakage: Absolute server paths via stack traces. - Authentication Bypass: Guest accounts can effectively query the database as the system user. ## Recommended Fix Modify `Elements::parseRefs` to enforce `canView` permissions on the resolved element before extracting attributes. ## References https://github.com/craftcms/cms/commit/4d98a07e47580f1712095825d3e3c4d67bc9f8b9

Affected packages (1)

• Packagist/craftcms/cms>= 4.0.0-RC1, < 4.17.0-beta.1

CVSS scores

References (4)

• ADVISORYhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28696
• PATCHhttps://github.com/craftcms/cms
• WEBhttps://github.com/craftcms/cms/commit/4d98a07e47580f1712095825d3e3c4d67bc9f8b9
• WEBhttps://github.com/craftcms/cms/security/advisories/GHSA-7x43-mpfg-r9wj