MarkLogic Server: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2026-8709 is a critical-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in MarkLogic Server from Progress Software, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 11.3.6, 12.0.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating MarkLogic Server to one of those releases 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.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update MarkLogic Server to 11.3.6 or 12.0.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on community.progress.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progress Software | MarkLogic Server | 11.0.0 up to, but not including, 11.3.6; 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.0.3 | 11.3.6, 12.0.3 |
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
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (progress.com).
Official description
An improper privilege management vulnerability in the REST API document patch operation of Progress MarkLogic Server before 11.3.6 and 12.0.3 allows an authenticated user with a low-privileged REST role to escalate privileges and execute privileged operations against the Security database.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
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
Other vulnerabilities in MarkLogic Server
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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