server: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key
CVE-2026-60104 is a high-severity authorization bypass through user-controlled key vulnerability in server from Bitwarden, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 2026.6.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating server to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.37% 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 server to 2026.6.0 or a later version.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- 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:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.0 | High | NVD |
Official description
Bitwarden Server before 2026.6.0 does not verify that the email in a POST /auth-requests/admin-request body belongs to the authenticated caller, allowing a low-privileged organization member to obtain another user's vault key and a victim-scoped access token by creating a Trusted Device Encryption authentication request, bound to an attacker-controlled public key, that is readable from an unauthenticated endpoint once approved resulting in disclosure of the victim's vault key and account takeover.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key
The system's authorization functionality does not prevent one user from gaining access to another user's data or record by modifying the key value identifying the data.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For each and every data access, ensure that the user has sufficient privilege to access the record that is being requested.
- Make sure that the key that is used in the lookup of a specific user's record is not controllable externally by the user or that any tampering can be detected.
- Use encryption in order to make it more difficult to guess other legitimate values of the key or associate a digital signature with the key so that the server can verify that there has been no tampering.
More Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerabilities (CWE-639)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- sanjokkarki.com.np/blog/bitwarden-vault-key-heistExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in server
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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