CVE-2026-22659

FlaskBB · FlaskBB

FlaskBB is susceptible to an authorization bypass via topic ID manipulation, allowing authenticated users to perform unauthorized actions.

Executive summary

An authorization bypass vulnerability in FlaskBB allows authenticated users to perform actions they are not permitted to access, threatening data integrity.

Vulnerability

This vulnerability involves incorrect authorization (CWE-863) where the application fails to properly validate permissions when a user interacts with specific topic IDs. An authenticated attacker can manipulate these IDs to bypass access controls and perform unauthorized operations.

Business impact

This flaw can lead to the unauthorized modification or deletion of forum content, potentially causing reputational damage and data loss. With a CVSS score of 8.1, the ability for a standard user to manipulate data at a high level represents a significant threat to the platform's integrity.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Update to the latest version of FlaskBB or apply the specific security patch provided in the GitHub commit (a5da9a52).

Proactive Monitoring: Monitor forum activity logs for anomalous access patterns, specifically focusing on topic interactions that deviate from expected user behavior.

Compensating Controls: Utilize a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to inspect request parameters and block attempts to manipulate identifiers in API or web requests.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: false

Analyst recommendation

Users of the FlaskBB platform must apply the provided security fix to prevent unauthorized access. Regular auditing of user permissions and forum content integrity is recommended to ensure no unauthorized changes have occurred.