CVE-2026-26980 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the TryGhost Ghost content management system, specifically affecting versions from 3.24.0 up to but not including 6.19.1. Ghost is a popular Node.js-based CMS used for blogging and publishing. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (classified under CWE-89), allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary reads from the underlying database, potentially exposing sensitive information such as user data, content, configuration details, or credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.4 reflects the critical nature of this issue, with attack vector being network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H) with low impact on availability (A:L). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild at the time of publication, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability. The issue was addressed and fixed in Ghost version 6.19.1, which includes proper input sanitization and query parameterization to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize upgrading to the patched release to mitigate the risk. Additional technical details such as patch links were not provided but can be expected from the vendor's official channels.

The impact of CVE-2026-26980 is significant for organizations using the Ghost CMS in affected versions. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary data from the database, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, unpublished content, and configuration secrets. This breach of confidentiality can result in data leaks, privacy violations, and reputational damage. The integrity of the database is also at risk since attackers can manipulate SQL queries, potentially enabling further exploitation or data tampering. Although availability impact is low, the loss of confidentiality and integrity can disrupt business operations and trust. Organizations running public-facing Ghost CMS instances are particularly vulnerable as the attack requires no authentication or user interaction, enabling remote exploitation at scale. This vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against media, publishing, and content-driven organizations relying on Ghost, as well as in opportunistic mass scanning and exploitation campaigns. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for remediation before widespread attacks emerge.

To mitigate CVE-2026-26980, organizations should immediately upgrade all affected Ghost CMS instances to version 6.19.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting Ghost endpoints. Review and harden database access controls to limit exposure of sensitive data in case of compromise. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of database queries and web application traffic to detect anomalous activity indicative of injection attempts. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on input validation and query parameterization in custom Ghost plugins or themes. Isolate Ghost CMS instances within segmented network zones to reduce lateral movement risk. Regularly back up databases and test restoration procedures to minimize impact of potential data corruption. Stay informed through official TryGhost security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit reports or additional patches.