# CVE-2026-113649: ApostropheCMS import-export privilege escalation in published content

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113649-apostrophecms-is-an-open-source-node-js-content-management  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-20. Updated: 2026-10-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-113649 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-10-20

ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system that manages website content and publishing workflows. An editor with permission to import content can bypass publish permission checks and publish, replace, or remove published content variants without authorization. An attacker with basic editor privileges can modify or delete live website content without proper approval.

Technologies: [ApostropheCMS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apostrophecms), [@apostrophecms/import-export (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apostrophecms-import-export), [apostrophe (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apostrophe). Vendors: [ApostropheCMS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apostrophecms), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-113649 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-113649 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-113649?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 20 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** ApostropheCMS before 4.34.0; ApostropheCMS Import-Export Module before 3.7.1; @apostrophecms/import-export (npm) < 3.7.1, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=3.7.1; apostrophe (npm) < 4.34.0, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=4.34.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-113649?** Yes. @apostrophecms/import-export (npm): upgrade to 3.7.1 or later; apostrophe (npm): upgrade to 4.34.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-113649 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-113649?** Check whether you run ApostropheCMS, ApostropheCMS Import-Export Module, @apostrophecms/import-export (npm) or one of the others listed 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

- @apostrophecms/import-export (npm): upgrade to 3.7.1 or later

  ```sh
  npm install @apostrophecms/import-export@3.7.1
  ```

- apostrophe (npm): upgrade to 4.34.0 or later

  ```sh
  npm install apostrophe@4.34.0
  ```


## Technical details

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the import-export module's write helpers allows authenticated editors with import permissions but lacking publish permissions to manipulate published content variants. The vulnerability bypasses normal publication permission checks and lifecycle controls during the import process. The fix requires import-export 3.7.1 and ApostropheCMS 4.34.0 or later.

## Affected products

- ApostropheCMS import-export module before 3.7.1
- ApostropheCMS ApostropheCMS before 4.34.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-113649
- GHSA-5m22-7pfq-vp65

## Timeline

- 2026-10-20: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/apostrophecms/apostrophe/commit/06e4b377f3c360f9e89c32dccd7e505ad5ddf498](https://github.com/apostrophecms/apostrophe/commit/06e4b377f3c360f9e89c32dccd7e505ad5ddf498)
- [https://github.com/apostrophecms/apostrophe/commit/40b989b1a9dd23d30029b8ce7668634265cfe5ea](https://github.com/apostrophecms/apostrophe/commit/40b989b1a9dd23d30029b8ce7668634265cfe5ea)

## Related threats

- [ApostropheCMS unauthenticated file upload in import routes](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113711-apostrophecms-is-an-open-source-node-js-content-management)
- [ApostropheCMS password-change endpoint lacks attempt throttling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113710-apostrophecms-no-attempt-throttling-on-authenticated-password)
- [ApostropheCMS page REST API authorization bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113670-apostrophecms-page-rest-api-authorization-bypass)
- [ApostropheCMS cross-domain session token in URL confers session takeover](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113669-apostrophecms-cross-domain-session-token-in-url-confers-session)
- [ApostropheCMS REST route authorization bypass in locales endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113668-apostrophecms-id-locales-rest-route-omits-the-public-api)