Rocket.Chat: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic
CVE-2026-45688 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic vulnerability in Rocket.Chat from RocketChat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Rocket.Chat versions: >= 8.5.0-rc.0, < 8.5.0; >= 8.4.0-rc.0, < 8.4.1; >= 8.3.0-rc.0, < 8.3.3, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Rocket.Chat you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| RocketChat | Rocket.Chat | >= 8.5.0-rc.0, < 8.5.0; >= 8.4.0-rc.0, < 8.4.1; >= 8.3.0-rc.0, < 8.3.3; >= 8.2.0-rc.0, < 8.2.3; >= 8.1.0-rc.0, < 8.1.4; >= 8.0.0-rc.0, < 8.0.5; >= 7.11.0-rc.0, < 7.13.7; < 7.10.11 | Not stated |
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Rocket.Chat is an open-source, secure, fully customizable communications platform. Prior to 8.5.0, 8.4.1, 8.3.3, 8.2.3, 8.1.4, 8.0.5, 7.13.7, and 7.10.11, Rocket.Chat's CAS login handler forwards the client-supplied options.cas.credentialToken value straight into a MongoDB findOne({_id: ...}) query without any runtime type check. TypeScript's string parameter annotation is erased at runtime, so an unauthenticated attacker can substitute a MongoDB query operator ({"$gt": ""}, {"$ne": null}, etc.) for what the server expects to be an opaque ticket string. The injected operator matches the first unexpired document in the credential_tokens collection, bypassing the CAS ticket check entirely. When any legitimate CAS or SAML SSO login is in flight, the attacker's next DDP login call matches the same credential-token row via the NoSQL operator and is issued a full Meteor auth token (userId + token) bound to the victim. The token is immediately usable against the complete REST and DDP surface as that user. If the victim is an administrator, this escalates to full instance compromise via Apps-Engine app install. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.5.0, 8.4.1, 8.3.3, 8.2.3, 8.1.4, 8.0.5, 7.13.7, and 7.10.11.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic
The product generates a query intended to access or manipulate data in a data store such as a database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that can modify the intended logic of the query.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic vulnerabilities (CWE-943)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Rocket.Chat
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.5 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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