In Akaunting versions <= 3.1.21, low‑privileged authenticated users can modify their own account to assign themselves the admin role ID, granting… (CVE-2026-16772)
Akaunting versions up to 3.1.21 contain a vulnerability that allows low-privileged authenticated users to escalate their privileges by modifying their own account to assign themselves the admin role. This occurs due to improper authorization checks in the UpdateUser job, which synchronizes user roles without verifying permissions. The API endpoints remain properly permission-gated and are not affected. The vulnerability has a high severity with a CVSS score of 8.1.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
In Akaunting versions <= 3.1.21, the UpdateUser job processes user-supplied role assignments via an unconditional roles()->sync() call without verifying if the caller is authorized to manage roles. This flaw enables low-privileged authenticated users, who only need the default update-auth-profile permission, to assign themselves the admin role ID, thereby gaining full administrator privileges. The issue does not affect API endpoints, which are properly permission-gated.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability allows low-privileged authenticated users to escalate their privileges to full administrator level by modifying their own account roles. This can lead to complete administrative control over the Akaunting application, potentially compromising confidentiality and integrity of data. Availability is not impacted.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the self-update functionality or monitor for suspicious role changes. Avoid granting the update-auth-profile permission broadly.
In Akaunting versions <= 3.1.21, low‑privileged authenticated users can modify their own account to assign themselves the admin role ID, granting… (CVE-2026-16772)
Description
Akaunting versions up to 3.1.21 contain a vulnerability that allows low-privileged authenticated users to escalate their privileges by modifying their own account to assign themselves the admin role. This occurs due to improper authorization checks in the UpdateUser job, which synchronizes user roles without verifying permissions. The API endpoints remain properly permission-gated and are not affected. The vulnerability has a high severity with a CVSS score of 8.1.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.1high
Affected software
pkg:composer/akaunting/akauntingRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
In Akaunting versions <= 3.1.21, the UpdateUser job processes user-supplied role assignments via an unconditional roles()->sync() call without verifying if the caller is authorized to manage roles. This flaw enables low-privileged authenticated users, who only need the default update-auth-profile permission, to assign themselves the admin role ID, thereby gaining full administrator privileges. The issue does not affect API endpoints, which are properly permission-gated.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability allows low-privileged authenticated users to escalate their privileges to full administrator level by modifying their own account roles. This can lead to complete administrative control over the Akaunting application, potentially compromising confidentiality and integrity of data. Availability is not impacted.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the self-update functionality or monitor for suspicious role changes. Avoid granting the update-auth-profile permission broadly.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-98f2-hwvc-w247
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-16772"]
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a7ff5f0bf8831d53987f0d7
Added to database: 08/15/2026, 05:15:28 UTC
Last enriched: 09/15/2026, 02:09:35 UTC
Last updated: 09/30/2026, 06:54:37 UTC
Views: 21
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