CVE-2026-57996: phpMyFAQ - Privilege Escalation via Missing SuperAdmin Guard in user/add Endpoint
phpMyFAQ before 4.1.5 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the user/add API endpoint that allows non-SuperAdmin administrators to create SuperAdmin accounts. A delegated administrator with USERADD/EDIT/DELETE permissions can call POST /admin/api/user/add with isSuperAdmin: true and attacker-chosen credentials to create a SuperAdmin account, then authenticate as that account to achieve full instance takeover.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-57996?
CVE-2026-57996 has a high severity rating of 8.7.
How can I fix CVE-2026-57996?
To fix CVE-2026-57996, upgrade phpMyFAQ to version 4.1.5 or later.
What does CVE-2026-57996 allow an attacker to do?
CVE-2026-57996 allows non-SuperAdmin administrators to create SuperAdmin accounts through the user/add API endpoint.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-57996?
CVE-2026-57996 affects installations of phpMyFAQ prior to version 4.1.5.
What is the impact of exploiting CVE-2026-57996?
Exploiting CVE-2026-57996 can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation for malicious users.