CVE-2026-1497 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) affecting Neo4j Enterprise Edition's handling of namespaces in composite databases. In versions prior to 2026.02 and 5.26.22, when an administrator grants a user access to a remote database constituent specified as "namespace.name", the system incorrectly resolves the namespace. Instead of restricting access to the intended remote database, the authorization inadvertently extends to any local database or remote alias named "name". This flaw also means that if such a database or alias does not exist at the time of granting privileges, the permissions will automatically apply if it is created later. This behavior can lead to unintended privilege escalation, allowing users to access databases or aliases that were not meant to be accessible. The vulnerability requires the administrator to perform the access grant operation and involves user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 2.0, reflecting low severity due to limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the requirement for some privileges and user interaction. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patch links are currently provided, but upgrading to versions 2026.02 or 5.26.22 or later is recommended to remediate the issue.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-1497 is unintended privilege escalation within Neo4j Enterprise Edition environments using composite databases. Users may gain unauthorized access to local databases or remote aliases that share names with remote database constituents, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing unauthorized operations. This can undermine data confidentiality and integrity within affected organizations. Since the vulnerability also applies to databases or aliases created after privileges are granted, it creates a persistent risk of unauthorized access over time. However, the impact is mitigated by the requirement that an administrator must perform the initial access grant, and the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation without prior privilege. Organizations relying on Neo4j for critical data management, especially those with complex composite database setups, could face compliance and security risks if this vulnerability is exploited. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future abuse.

To mitigate CVE-2026-1497, organizations should upgrade Neo4j Enterprise Edition to version 2026.02, 5.26.22, or later where the namespace resolution issue is fixed. Until patches are applied, administrators should exercise caution when granting access to remote database constituents, verifying that no local databases or aliases share the same names to avoid unintended privilege grants. Implement strict naming conventions to prevent overlap between remote and local database names or aliases. Regularly audit user privileges and access logs to detect any unauthorized access resulting from this vulnerability. Additionally, restrict administrative privileges to trusted personnel and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of misuse. Monitoring for the creation of new databases or aliases that could inherit unintended privileges is also advisable. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly address any potential compromise stemming from this issue.