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CVE-2026-109306 craftcms CVE debrief

CVE-2026-109306 is a missing authorization vulnerability in Craft CMS versions 5.0.0 before 5.10.14. An authenticated user can exploit this vulnerability to change the installed edition of the Craft CMS application, potentially downgrading the site edition. This issue is rated as Medium severity with a CVSS score of 6. The vulnerability exists in the AppController::actionSwitchToLicensedEdition() function, allowing any authenticated user to change the installed edition. Low-privileged front-end users can exploit this vulnerability to persistently downgrade the site edition in project config, which admins cannot reverse from the control panel.

Vendor
craftcms
Product
cms
CVSS
MEDIUM 6
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-10-12
Original CVE updated
2026-10-12
Advisory published
2026-10-12
Advisory updated
2026-10-12

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Craft CMS installations, administrators, and security teams should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it. They should prioritize verification, upgrading, and review of user permissions and access controls to prevent potential downgrades of the site edition. Additionally, they should monitor for suspicious activity and review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled

Why it matters

CVE-2026-109306 is a Medium-severity vulnerability in Craft CMS that allows authenticated users to change the installed edition, potentially downgrading the site edition. Defenders should prioritize verification, upgrading, and review of user permissions and access controls.

  • Downgrade of site edition by authenticated users
  • Potential persistence of unauthorized changes
  • Need for verification of user permissions and access controls
  • Requirement for upgrading to version 5.10.14 or later

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the AppController::actionSwitchToLicensedEdition() function, allowing any authenticated user to change the installed edition of Craft CMS. Low-privileged front-end users can exploit this vulnerability to persistently downgrade the site edition in project config, which admins cannot reverse from the control panel. This issue is particularly concerning for defenders responsible for Craft CMS installations, as it allows for potential downgrades of the site edition, which could lead to security risks.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying and upgrading to version 5.10.14 or later, and review user permissions and access controls.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Verify and upgrade to version 5.10.14 or later
  • Review user permissions and access controls
  • Monitor for suspicious activity
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
  • Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance
  • Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The CVE record and source item provide details on the vulnerability, including its description, CVSS score, and affected versions. The source item provides additional context on the vulnerability, including its impact on Craft CMS installations. The CVE Program record and NIST NVD detail page offer further information on the vulnerability and its severity. However, the exact scope of affected systems and potential impact on specific deployments is limited, requiring defenders to verify and review user permissions and access controls.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-109306 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-109306

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-109306 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-109306

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Craft CMS 5.0.0 before 5.10.14 Missing Authorization via app/switch-to-licensed-edition

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2026/109xxx/CVE-2026-109306.json

    cve_program_cvelist_v5

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://github.com/craftcms/cms/security/advisories/GHSA-4wfw-q5w3-jh42

    Supplemental source - vendor-advisory

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/craft-cms-5.0.0-before-5.10.14-missing-authorization-via-app-switch-to-licensed-edition

    Supplemental source - third-party-advisory

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.