Directus `search` query parameter allows enumeration of non permitted fields
Summary
The search query parameter allows users with access to a collection to filter items based on fields they do not have permission to view. This allows the enumeration of unknown field contents.
Details
The searchable columns (numbers & strings) are not checked against permissions when injecting the where clauses for applying the search query. This leads to the possibility of enumerating those un-permitted fields.
PoC
- Create a collection with a string / numeric field, configure the permissions for the public role to not include the field created
- Create items with identifiable content in the not permitted field
- Query the collection and include the field content in the
searchparameter - See that results are returned, even tho the public user does not have permission to view the field content
Impact
This vulnerability is a very high impact, as for example Directus instances which allow public read access to the user avatar are vulnerable to have the email addresses, password hashes and potentially admin level access tokens extracted. The admin token and password hash extraction have a caveat, as string fields are only searched with a lower cased version of the search query.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | directus | >= 9.0.0-alpha.4, < 11.5.0 | 11.5.0 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-200- Platform
- npm
- Package
directus- Disclosed
- 26.03.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7wq3-jr35-275c - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: directus
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 58
- First → latest
- 04.2022 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 19
- Medium 34
- Low 3
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 4
- 2023: 8
- 2024: 14
- 2025: 17
- 2026: 15
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Directus `search` query parameter allows enumeration of non permitted fields this entry
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