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CVE-2026-57996 phpMyFAQ CVE debrief

CVE-2026-57996 is a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability in phpMyFAQ before version 4.1.5. A delegated administrator with USER_ADD/EDIT/DELETE permissions can create a SuperAdmin account via the user/add API endpoint, potentially leading to full instance takeover. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate validation of user input, allowing an attacker to bypass normal access controls. This issue affects phpMyFAQ deployments where administrators have delegated permissions, and attackers may exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges.

Vendor
phpMyFAQ
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 8.7
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-15
Original CVE updated
2026-07-16
Advisory published
2026-07-15
Advisory updated
2026-07-16

Who should care

Administrators and users of phpMyFAQ versions prior to 4.1.5 should be aware of this vulnerability and take immediate action to mitigate the risk. This includes updating to the latest version, restricting USER_ADD/EDIT/DELETE permissions, and monitoring user account creation and modifications. Security teams and vulnerability management teams should prioritize this vulnerability due to its high severity and potential impact on phpMyFAQ deployments.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the user/add API endpoint of phpMyFAQ, allowing a delegated administrator with USER_ADD/EDIT/DELETE permissions to create a SuperAdmin account by setting 'isSuperAdmin' to true and providing attacker-chosen credentials. This could lead to full instance takeover. The issue arises from insufficient validation of user input, enabling an attacker to create a new SuperAdmin account with arbitrary credentials.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update phpMyFAQ to version 4.1.5 or later
  • Restrict USER_ADD/EDIT/DELETE permissions to SuperAdmin accounts
  • Monitor user account creation and modifications
  • Implement additional security measures to detect and prevent exploitation
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-15T12:18:16.143Z and last modified on 2026-07-16T16:19:14.350Z. The NVD entry is currently Deferred. The vulnerability was reported by a security researcher and is related to a privilege escalation issue in phpMyFAQ before version 4.1.5. The researcher verified the vulnerability and provided detailed information about the affected endpoint and potential impact.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-57996 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-57996

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

  • CVE-2026-57996 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-57996

    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.