CVE-2026-45013: ApostropheCMS Weak Password Recovery Mechanism and Input Validation Flaw
Summary
CVE-2026-45013: Apostrophe has a Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password and Improper Input Validation. Affects apostrophe versions < 4.29.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
ApostropheCMS is an open-source content management system (CMS) designed for building websites and applications with a focus on ease of use and flexibility. It allows developers to create custom content types and manage content seamlessly. However, a vulnerability in its password reset mechanism exposes users to potential account takeover risks, particularly when the configuration is not properly set.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from ApostropheCMS's password reset flow, which constructs the reset URL using the attacker-controlled HTTP Host header when the base URL is not explicitly configured. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted reset request to the application, causing it to email the victim a reset link that points to the attacker's domain. This allows the attacker to capture the valid reset token when the victim clicks the link, leading to full account takeover. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication or interaction beyond sending a single HTTP request.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can disable the password reset feature by setting 'passwordReset: false' in your login module options until you can properly configure the base URL.
Conclusion
The vulnerability CVE-2026-45013 in ApostropheCMS poses a significant risk due to its weak password recovery mechanism and improper input validation. By ensuring proper configuration of the base URL and applying the recommended fixes, users can protect their applications from potential account takeover attacks.
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FAQ
CVE-2026-45013 is a vulnerability in ApostropheCMS that allows an attacker to exploit the password reset mechanism, potentially leading to account takeover.
You can check if your application is affected by using Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to analyze your package-lock.json.
If you cannot update the package right away, consider disabling the password reset feature as a temporary measure by setting 'passwordReset: false' in your configuration.
The main consequence is full account takeover, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts simply by sending a crafted password reset request.
Yes, updating to the latest version of ApostropheCMS beyond 4.29.0 will resolve this vulnerability.
References
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