# CVE-2026-27886: Strapi administrative account takeover via relational query filtering

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-27886-strapi-administrative-account-takeover-via-relational-query  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-14. Updated: 2026-05-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-27886 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-05-14

Strapi is an open-source content management system used to manage and deliver digital content. A security flaw in how the system handles data filters allows unauthenticated attackers to steal sensitive administrative information, such as password reset tokens. By exploiting this, an attacker can take full control of the administrative account, leading to total data exposure and loss of control over the website or application.

Technologies: [@strapi/strapi (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/strapi-strapi). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-27886 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-27886 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-27886?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 14 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** @strapi/strapi (npm) >= 4.0.0, < 5.37.0, SEMVER:introduced=4.0.0,fixed=5.37.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-27886?** Yes. @strapi/strapi (npm): upgrade to 5.37.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-27886 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-27886?** Check whether you run @strapi/strapi (npm) 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

- @strapi/strapi (npm): upgrade to 5.37.0 or later

  ```sh
  npm install @strapi/strapi@5.37.0
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in Strapi's query parameter sanitization layer when filtering content via relational fields. An unauthenticated attacker can use the `where` query parameter on public Content API endpoints to traverse into the `admin_users` table via relations like `updatedBy`. By using operator chains (e.g., `$startsWith`), the attacker can perform a boolean-oracle attack based on the response count to extract sensitive fields such as `resetPasswordToken`. This allows for the reconstruction of a valid admin reset token and subsequent full account takeover. The issue is resolved in version 5.37.0 by implementing stricter query-parameter sanitization using new primitives that block unauthorized schema traversal.

## Affected products

- Strapi Strapi 4.0.0 to 5.36.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-27886
- GHSA-rjg2-95x7-8qmx

## Timeline

- 2026-05-13: advisory: GitHub advisory GHSA-rjg2-95x7-8qmx published
- 2026-05-14: disclosed: CVE-2026-27886 published to NVD
- 2026-05-14: patched: Fixed in version 5.37.0

## References

- [https://github.com/strapi/strapi/security/advisories/GHSA-rjg2-95x7-8qmx](https://github.com/strapi/strapi/security/advisories/GHSA-rjg2-95x7-8qmx)

## Related threats

- [Strapi insufficient session expiration in JWT authentication](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-3930-strapi-insufficient-session-expiration-in-jwt-authentication)
- [Strapi Server-Side Request Forgery](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-37818-strapi-server-side-request-forgery)
- [Strapi authorization bypass in user registration API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-39345-strapi-authorization-bypass-in-user-registration-api)
- [Strapi content-type attribute disclosure via extension](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-34093-strapi-content-type-attribute-disclosure-via-extension)
- [Strapi information disclosure via private field filtering](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-22894-strapi-information-disclosure-via-private-field-filtering)