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)
A vulnerability in Akaunting versions up to 3.1.21 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 processes role assignments without verifying user permissions. The API endpoints remain properly permission-gated and are not affected by this issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
In Akaunting versions <= 3.1.21, a flaw in the UpdateUser job permits low-privileged authenticated users to escalate privileges by assigning themselves the admin role ID. The vulnerability arises because the roles()->sync() call processes user-supplied role assignments unconditionally, lacking authorization verification. Users only need the default update-auth-profile permission to exploit this via the self-update path. API endpoints are not vulnerable as they enforce proper permission checks.
Potential Impact
Exploitation allows low-privileged authenticated users to gain full administrator privileges, potentially compromising the entire application and its data. The vulnerability does not affect unauthenticated users and does not impact API endpoints due to proper permission gating.
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 privilege escalations. Avoid granting the update-auth-profile permission broadly to untrusted users.
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
A vulnerability in Akaunting versions up to 3.1.21 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 processes role assignments without verifying user permissions. The API endpoints remain properly permission-gated and are not affected by this issue.
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, a flaw in the UpdateUser job permits low-privileged authenticated users to escalate privileges by assigning themselves the admin role ID. The vulnerability arises because the roles()->sync() call processes user-supplied role assignments unconditionally, lacking authorization verification. Users only need the default update-auth-profile permission to exploit this via the self-update path. API endpoints are not vulnerable as they enforce proper permission checks.
Potential Impact
Exploitation allows low-privileged authenticated users to gain full administrator privileges, potentially compromising the entire application and its data. The vulnerability does not affect unauthenticated users and does not impact API endpoints due to proper permission gating.
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 privilege escalations. Avoid granting the update-auth-profile permission broadly to untrusted users.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-98f2-hwvc-w247
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-16772"]
- Ecosystems
- []
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a7ff5f0bf8831d53987f0d7
Added to database: 08/15/2026, 05:15:28 UTC
Last enriched: 08/15/2026, 05:56:14 UTC
Last updated: 08/15/2026, 06:01:08 UTC
Views: 2
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