StudioCMS: REST API Missing Rank Check Allows Admin to Create Peer Admin Accounts
Summary
The REST API createUser endpoint uses string-based rank checks that only block creating owner accounts, while the Dashboard API uses indexOf-based rank comparison that prevents creating users at or above your own rank. This inconsistency allows an admin to create additional admin accounts via the REST API, enabling privilege proliferation and persistence.
Details
The REST API handler in packages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts:1365-1378:
// REST API — only blocks creating 'owner'
if (newUserRank === 'owner' && rank !== 'owner') {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized to create user with owner rank',
});
}
if (rank === 'admin' && newUserRank === 'owner') {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized to create user with owner rank',
});
}
// Missing: no check preventing admin from creating admin
// newUserRank='admin' passes all checks
The Dashboard API handler in _handlers/dashboard/create.ts uses the correct approach:
// Dashboard API — blocks creating users at or above own rank
const callerPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(userData.permissionLevel);
const targetPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(rank);
if (targetPerm >= callerPerm) {
return yield* new DashboardAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized: insufficient permissions to assign target rank',
});
}
With availablePermissionRanks = ['unknown', 'visitor', 'editor', 'admin', 'owner']:
- Admin (index 3) creating admin (index 3):
3 >= 3= blocked in Dashboard - In REST API: no such check — allowed
PoC
# 1. Use an admin-level API token
# 2. Create a new admin user via REST API
curl -X POST 'http://localhost:4321/studiocms_api/rest/v1/secure/users' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer <admin-api-token>' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{
"username": "rogue_admin",
"email": "rogue@attacker.com",
"displayname": "Rogue Admin",
"rank": "admin",
"password": "StrongP@ssw0rd123"
}'
# Expected: 403 Forbidden (admin should not create peer admin accounts)
# Actual: 200 with new admin user created
Impact
- A compromised or rogue admin can create additional admin accounts as persistence mechanisms that survive password resets or token revocations
- Inconsistent security model between Dashboard API and REST API creates confusion about intended authorization boundaries
- Note: requires admin access (PR:H), which limits practical severity
Recommended Fix
Replace string-based checks with indexOf comparison in packages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts:
// Before:
if (newUserRank === 'owner' && rank !== 'owner') { ... }
if (rank === 'admin' && newUserRank === 'owner') { ... }
// After:
const availablePermissionRanks = ['unknown', 'visitor', 'editor', 'admin', 'owner'];
const callerPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(rank);
const targetPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(newUserRank);
if (targetPerm >= callerPerm) {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized: insufficient permissions to assign target rank',
});
}
Betroffene Software
Klicken Sie auf eine Technologie, um alle zugehörigen Schwachstellen anzuzeigen.
| Plattform | Paket | Anfällige Versionen | Behoben in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm-Paket | studiocms | < 0.4.3 | 0.4.3 |
Verweise
- CVSS-Vektor
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L- Schwäche (CWE)
CWE-269- Plattform
- npm
- Paket
studiocms- Veröffentlicht
- 12.03.2026
- Aktualisiert
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Quellen und Lizenzen
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-wj56-g96r-673q - CC BY 4.0
Schwachstellenhistorie: studiocms
Alle veröffentlichten Schwachstellen dieses Pakets (npm-Paket), neueste zuerst. Zeigt, ob es ein einmaliger Ausrutscher ist oder ein Paket, das man im Auge behalten muss.
- Einträge insgesamt
- 7
- Erste → letzte
- 01.2026 03.2026
- Ohne Fix
- 0
- In Angriffen ausgenutzt
- 0
Verteilung nach Schweregrad
- Hoch 2
- Mittel 4
- Niedrig 1
Veröffentlichungen pro Jahr
- 2026: 7
-
StudioCMS: REST API Missing Rank Check Allows Admin to Create Peer Admin Accounts dieser Eintrag
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