# CVE-2026-105849: Payload API key disclosure through document read access

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105849-payload-vulnerable-to-api-key-disclosure-through-ordinary  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-06. Updated: 2026-10-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-105849 · Severity: high · CVSS 4 · Published 2026-10-06

Payload is a headless CMS and content management platform. A flaw allows users with read permissions to access other users' active API keys, which grant full account permissions until the keys are rotated. The vulnerability affects systems where API keys are enabled and users can read documents beyond their own.

Technologies: [payload (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/payload), [Payload CMS Payload](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/payload-cms-payload). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Payload CMS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/payload-cms).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-105849 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-105849 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-105849?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 6 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** payload (npm) SEMVER:introduced=3.0.0,fixed=3.90.0; Payload CMS Payload >= 3.0.0, < 3.90.0; >= 4.0.0-canary.0, < 4.0.0-canary.34.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-105849?** Yes. payload (npm): upgrade to 3.90.0 or later. Until then: Disable the useAPIKey feature or restrict document read access so users can only read their own authentication documents. Rotate any API keys that may have been exposed.</anigation>
<parameter name="timeline">[{"kind":"disclosed","at":"2026-09-18"},{"kind":"advisory","at":"2026-10-06"},{"kind":"patched","at":"2026-10-06"}] Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-105849 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-105849?** Check whether you run payload (npm) or Payload CMS Payload at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- payload (npm): upgrade to 3.90.0 or later

  ```sh
  npm install payload@3.90.0
  ```


Disable the useAPIKey feature or restrict document read access so users can only read their own authentication documents. Rotate any API keys that may have been exposed.</anigation>
<parameter name="timeline">[{"kind":"disclosed","at":"2026-09-18"},{"kind":"advisory","at":"2026-10-06"},{"kind":"patched","at":"2026-10-06"}]

## Technical details

Users with document read access can retrieve active API keys from other user authentication documents when the useAPIKey feature is enabled. This is a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) combined with sensitive data exposure (CWE-201). No authentication bypass or special privileges are required beyond existing read access; exploitation occurs through normal document retrieval operations.

## Affected products

- Payload CMS Payload >= 3.0.0, < 3.90.0; >= 4.0.0-canary.0, < 4.0.0-canary.34

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-105849
- GHSA-238x-w2j9-gwwr

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/Zerotistic](https://api.github.com/users/Zerotistic)

## Related threats

- [Payload CMS stored XSS in XML upload handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105868-payload-is-a-free-and-open-source-headless-content-management)
- [Payload CMS account lockout denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105866-payload-is-a-free-and-open-source-headless-content-management)
- [Payload CMS path traversal in file deletion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105865-payload-is-a-free-and-open-source-headless-content-management)
- [Payload CMS authentication token tampering via reserved JWT fields](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105863-payload-is-a-free-and-open-source-headless-content-management)
- [Payload CMS stored XSS in SVG upload sanitization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105862-payload-is-a-free-and-open-source-headless-content-management)