CVE-2026-50283: Craft CMS: Unauthorized Deletion of Source Assets During File Replacement
Craft CMS is a content management system (CMS). Versions 5.0.0-RC1 through 5.9.20, and 4.0.0-RC1 through 4.17.13 contain an authorization issue in the AssetsController::actionReplaceFile that can delete a source asset without source delete permission by supplying both assetId and sourceAssetId. AssetsController::actionReplaceFile() supports replacing a target asset file using another existing asset as the source. The action loads: assetId -> $assetToReplace and sourceAssetId -> $sourceAsset, then enforces replace permissions using ($assetToReplace ?: $sourceAsset). When both IDs are provided, this expression resolves to the target asset so no permission check is performed against the source asset volume. When both assets are present, Craft copies the source file into the target and then deletes the source asset. There is no deletion check for for the source asset. An authenticated user who can replace files in one volume can delete assets in another volume where they do not have delete permission, as long as they can obtain a sourceAssetId, leading to broken content references and data loss. This issue has been fixed in versions 4.17.14 and 5.9.21.
Other sources
We have identified an authorization issue in Craft CMS AssetsController::actionReplaceFile that can delete a source asset without source delete permission by supplying both assetId and sourceAssetId.
Description
Craft CMS’s craft\\controllers\\AssetsController::actionReplaceFile() supports replacing a target asset file using another existing asset as the source. The action loads:
- $assetToReplace from assetId - $sourceAsset from sourceAssetId
It then enforces replace permissions using ($assetToReplace ?: $sourceAsset). When both IDs are provided, this expression resolves to the target asset so no permission check is performed against the source asset volume.
php $this->requireVolumePermissionByAsset('replaceFiles', $assetToReplace ?: $sourceAsset); $this->requirePeerVolumePermissionByAsset('replacePeerFiles', $assetToReplace ?: $sourceAsset);
src/controllers/AssetsController.php:L433-L434
In the branch where both assets are present, Craft copies the source file into the target and then deletes the source asset. There is no check for deleteAssets:<sourceVolumeUid> or deletePeerAssets:<sourceVolumeUid> for the source asset before deletion.
php $assets->replaceAssetFile($assetToReplace, $tempPath, $assetToReplace->getFilename(), $sourceAsset->getMimeType()); Craft::$app->getElements()->deleteElement($sourceAsset);
src/controllers/AssetsController.php:L462-L463
Impact
An authenticated user who can replace files in one volume can delete assets in another volume where they do not have delete permission, as long as they can obtain a sourceAssetId. This can lead to unauthorized asset deletion, broken content references, and data loss.
— GitHub
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
composer/craftcms/cmsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.17.14 - Upgrade
Upgrade
composer/craftcms/cmsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.9.21 - Upgrade
Upgrade
craftcms/cmsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.17.14 - Upgrade
Upgrade
craftcms/cmsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.9.21
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-50283?
CVE-2026-50283 has a medium severity rating of 5.3 on the CVSS scale.
How do I fix CVE-2026-50283?
To fix CVE-2026-50283, upgrade Craft CMS to versions 5.9.21 or 4.17.14 or later.
What issue does CVE-2026-50283 describe?
CVE-2026-50283 describes an authorization issue that allows unauthorized deletion of source assets during file replacement in Craft CMS.
Which versions of Craft CMS are affected by CVE-2026-50283?
Craft CMS versions 5.0.0-RC1 through 5.9.20 and 4.0.0-RC1 through 4.17.13 are affected by CVE-2026-50283.
What are the potential risks associated with CVE-2026-50283?
The risk associated with CVE-2026-50283 includes unauthorized deletion of important files within the Craft CMS environment.