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CVE-2026-72778 craftcms CVE debrief

PatchSiren debrief of CVE-2026-72778, an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Craft CMS versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and from 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6. This vulnerability allows an attacker with an authenticated control panel session and valid CSRF token to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user due to improper cleansing of request-controlled condition arrays in the control panel element-search condition handling. The vulnerability arises from Craft's use of Component::cleanseConfig() on the outer request-controlled condition array, but Conditions::createCondition() later decodes and merges the JSON string in condition.config without re-running cleanseConfig() on the decoded configuration. This oversight enables attackers to hide Yii special config keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' inside the JSON string, which are then interpreted as behavior/event configuration during FieldLayout object creation. Organizations should prioritize patching due to the high severity of this authenticated remote code execution vulnerability, which has a CVSS score of 8.7 and is classified as HIGH. Evidence is based on the official CVE Program record and NIST NVD vulnerability detail page.

Vendor
craftcms
Product
cms
CVSS
HIGH 8.7
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-08-11
Original CVE updated
2026-08-26
Advisory published
2026-08-11
Advisory updated
2026-08-26

Who should care

Organizations using Craft CMS versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and from 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6, PHP/web users with control panel access, and security teams responsible for vulnerability management and patching.

Technical summary

Craft CMS versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and from 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6 contain an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the control panel element-search condition handling. Craft cleanses the outer request-controlled condition array via Component::cleanseConfig(), but Conditions::createCondition() later decodes and merges the JSON string in condition.config without re-running cleanseConfig() on the decoded configuration. This allows an attacker with an authenticated control panel session (and a valid CSRF token) to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user.

Defensive priority

High priority due to authenticated remote code execution vulnerability

Recommended defensive actions

  • Inventory and version checks for vulnerable Craft CMS installations
  • Apply vendor patches or updates to affected versions
  • Monitor for suspicious control panel activity
  • Restrict access to control panel sessions and CSRF tokens
  • Implement compensating controls for PHP/web user privileges
  • Review official CVE Program record for source-provided CVE metadata
  • Track exceptions and retest remediated assets

Evidence notes

Evidence from official CVE Program record and NIST NVD vulnerability detail page. Limited information available on affected scope and vendor remediation. The CVE record was published on 2026-08-11T13:19:08.207Z and has not been modified since then. Defenders should verify the affected Craft CMS versions and review the official advisory for specific guidance.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-72778 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72778

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

  • CVE-2026-72778 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72778

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

Supplemental references

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.