directus: Not Failing Securely
CVE-2026-126539 is a high-severity not failing securely vulnerability in directus, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 12.1.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating directus to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update directus to 12.1.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.2 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Directus before 12.1.0 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to skip permission checks by sending a failed auth message on public-mode WebSocket connections. Attackers can send an invalid token so handleAuthRequest sets accountability to null, then read, create, update or delete records in any user-defined collection.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Not Failing Securely
When the product encounters an error condition or failure, its design requires it to fall back to a state that is less secure than other options that are available, such as selecting the weakest encryption algorithm or using the most permissive access control restrictions.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Subdivide and allocate resources and components so that a failure in one part does not affect the entire product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in directus
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Not Failing Securely vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.5 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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