CVE-2026-72778: Improperly Controlled Modification of Dynamically-Determined Object Attributes in craftcms cms
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. Because condition.config is a JSON string during the first cleanse, Yii special config keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' can be hidden inside it and, after JSON decoding, are interpreted by Yii as behavior/event configuration during FieldLayout object creation. An attacker with an authenticated control panel session (and a valid CSRF token) can exploit this to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-72778 is an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Craft CMS affecting versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6. The issue occurs in the control panel element-search condition handling where the outer request-controlled condition array is cleansed, but the JSON string in condition.config is decoded and merged without reapplying cleansing. This allows Yii special configuration keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' to be hidden inside the JSON string and interpreted as behavior or event configurations during FieldLayout object creation. Exploitation requires an authenticated control panel session and a valid CSRF token, enabling execution of OS commands as the PHP/web user.
Potential Impact
An attacker with authenticated access to the control panel and a valid CSRF token can execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the PHP/web user. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including data theft, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict control panel access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity. Avoid using release candidate versions in production environments.
CVE-2026-72778: Improperly Controlled Modification of Dynamically-Determined Object Attributes in craftcms cms
Description
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. Because condition.config is a JSON string during the first cleanse, Yii special config keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' can be hidden inside it and, after JSON decoding, are interpreted by Yii as behavior/event configuration during FieldLayout object creation. An attacker with an authenticated control panel session (and a valid CSRF token) can exploit this to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
craftcms
cms
craftcms
cms
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-72778 is an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Craft CMS affecting versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6. The issue occurs in the control panel element-search condition handling where the outer request-controlled condition array is cleansed, but the JSON string in condition.config is decoded and merged without reapplying cleansing. This allows Yii special configuration keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' to be hidden inside the JSON string and interpreted as behavior or event configurations during FieldLayout object creation. Exploitation requires an authenticated control panel session and a valid CSRF token, enabling execution of OS commands as the PHP/web user.
Potential Impact
An attacker with authenticated access to the control panel and a valid CSRF token can execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the PHP/web user. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including data theft, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict control panel access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity. Avoid using release candidate versions in production environments.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-10T15:09:12.955Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a7b151ebf8831d539b28d63
Added to database: 08/11/2026, 12:27:10 UTC
Last enriched: 08/11/2026, 12:41:15 UTC
Last updated: 09/26/2026, 01:47:44 UTC
Views: 63
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