winter: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2026-79774 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in winter from Wintercms, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 1.2.13 as the first without the flaw, so updating winter to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.81% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 57% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update winter to 1.2.13 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.4 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Winter CMS versions before 1.2.13 contain an incomplete fix for a Twig sandbox escape vulnerability in System\\Twig\\SecurityPolicy that allows authenticated backend users with template-editing permissions to bypass sandbox restrictions. Attackers can exploit method forwarding through Eloquent models and query builders using methods like saveQuietly(), deleteQuietly(), increment(), decrement(), and newQuery() to read and modify arbitrary database records, execute arbitrary SQL, and achieve remote code execution by injecting PHP into template code sections.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the 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 vulnerabilities in winter
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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