CVE-2026-55438: Coder's workspace app CORS origin check can be bypassed via UUID-based subdomain spoofing
Summary
Coder's subdomain-based workspace app proxy allowed the same-owner CORS check to be bypassed. When a workspace-name subdomain segment parsed as a UUID, the workspace was resolved by ID without confirming the URL's username matched the real owner, while the CORS middleware trusted the unverified username in the hostname.
Note: Practical exploitation requires subdomain app routing (wildcard hostname) enabled and a victim who visits the attacker's crafted app URL while authenticated.
Impact
An authenticated user could craft a subdomain encoding their own workspace UUID and a victim's username. If the victim visited the attacker's URL, the attacker's JavaScript could issue credentialed cross-origin fetch() requests to the victim's workspace apps and read the responses, exfiltrating data accessible through those apps.
Patches
The fix validates the subdomain username against the resolved workspace's actual owner and bases the same-owner CORS decision on the authoritative owner identity.
The fix was backported to all supported release lines:
| Release line | Patched version | |---|---| | 2.34 | v2.34.2 | | 2.33 | v2.33.8 | | 2.32 | v2.32.7 | | 2.29 (ESR) | v2.29.17 |
Workarounds
None.
Resources
- Fix: #26086, #26085
Credits
Coder would like to thank Anthropic's Security Team (ANT-2026-22434) for independently disclosing this issue!
Other sources
Coder allows organizations to provision remote development environments via Terraform. Prior to versions 2.29.17, 2.32.7, 2.33.8, and 2.34.2, Coder's subdomain-based workspace app proxy allowed the same-owner CORS check to be bypassed. When a workspace-name subdomain segment parsed as a UUID, the workspace was resolved by ID without confirming the URL's username matched the real owner, while the CORS middleware trusted the unverified username in the hostname. Practical exploitation requires subdomain app routing (wildcard hostname) enabled and a victim who visits the attacker's crafted app URL while authenticated. The fix in versions 2.29.17, 2.32.7, 2.33.8, and 2.34.2 validates the subdomain username against the resolved workspace's actual owner and bases the same-owner CORS decision on the authoritative owner identity. No known workarounds are available.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
go/github.com/coder/coder/v2to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.29.17 - Upgrade
Upgrade
go/github.com/coder/coder/v2to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.32.7 - Upgrade
Upgrade
go/github.com/coder/coder/v2to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.33.8 - Upgrade
Upgrade
go/github.com/coder/coder/v2to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.34.2 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Coderto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.29.17Patch #26086 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Coderto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.32.7Patch #26085 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Coderto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.33.8 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Coderto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.34.2
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-55438?
CVE-2026-55438 has a medium severity rating of 6.8.
How does CVE-2026-55438 affect the Coder's workspace app?
CVE-2026-55438 allows subdomain spoofing that bypasses the CORS origin check in the Coder's workspace app.
What exploitation vector is utilized in CVE-2026-55438?
CVE-2026-55438 is exploited through UUID-based subdomain spoofing.
How can I mitigate the risk from CVE-2026-55438?
To mitigate CVE-2026-55438, ensure that proper ownership verification checks are implemented for the CORS middleware.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-55438?
Yes, updates to the Coder's workspace app addressing CVE-2026-55438 can be applied from the official repository.