CVE-2026-55089

What it is

Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor. From 2.1.0 until 3.1.0, Etherpad's src/node/handler/APIHandler.ts authorizes requests to /api/2/* in the authorization_code OAuth path by using requiredClaims with the admin claim. This check requires only that the claim exists, while src/node/security/OAuth2Provider.ts issues admin: false for configured non-admin users. A non-admin user with a valid signed token can therefore invoke administrative functions including setHTML, setText, appendText, deletePad, copyPad, movePad, restoreRevision, anonymizeAuthor, listAllPads, and listAuthorsOfPad, allowing disclosure, modification, or deletion of pads across the instance. This issue is fixed in version 3.1.0.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-08-19 20:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-24 16:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-08-19 20:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-24 16:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-863 · Incorrect authorization

Record status

Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.9

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

Low