CVE-2026-53609 — Apostrophe has Server-Side Prototype Pollution in apos.util.set via patch operators that leads to process-wide authorization bypass
ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system. In versions up to and including 4.30.0, `apos.util.set()` traverses dot-notation paths without sanitizing `__proto__`, allowing an authenticated editor to write arbitrary values to `Object.prototype` via the `$pullAll` patch operator. A confirmed gadget in `publicApiCheck()` causes this to bypass authorization on all piece-type REST API endpoints for every subsequent unauthenticated request, for the lifetime of the Node.js process. As of time of publication, no known patched versions are available.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.4% (30-day exploitation probability)+5
- Technical severity (critical)+10
- CISA SSVC: exploitation "poc"+5
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Apostrophecms Apostrophe).
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (injection), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apostrophecms | Apostrophe | version <= 4.30.0 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.1 | CVSS 3.1 | Critical | 3.1 | 5.3 | security-advisories@github.com via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 9.1 | CVSS 3.1 | Critical | — | — | GitHub_M via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L (score shown at the top: security-advisories@github.com) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 2 reading(s) · max 0.38%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
- Look for parameters with command/query metacharacters and unexpected child processes of the service.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Affected products added · apostrophecms/apostrophe
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- CVSS changed · 9.1
- Source status changed · → Deferred
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
References
1 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Low CVE-2026-53607 @apostrophecms/file pretty-URL Vulnerable to Unauthenticated SSRF via Host header Jun 12, 2026
- High CVE-2026-45011 Apostrophe has stored XSS via javascript: URL in Image Widget Link Jun 12, 2026
- High CVE-2026-45012 Apostrophe has authenticated SSRF in rich-text widget import via @apostrophecms/area/validate-widget Jun 12, 2026
- High CVE-2026-45013 Apostrophe has a Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password and Improper Input Validation Jun 12, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-45014 Apostrophe Vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Unsanitized User Display Name in Draft Version Tooltip Jun 12, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-40186 ApostropheCMS: sanitize-html allowedTags Bypass via Entity-Decoded Text in nonTextTags Elements Apr 15, 2026
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-53609 is "Apostrophe has Server-Side Prototype Pollution in apos.util.set via patch operators that leads to process-wide authorization bypass", rated Critical. It affects Apostrophe (Apostrophecms); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 9.1 describes technical severity. EPSS 0.38% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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