CVE-2026-34751: Payload password recovery parameter injection account takeover

CVE-2026-34751 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-04-01

Payload is a popular headless CMS used to manage content and authentication for web applications. A vulnerability in its password reset functionality allows unauthenticated attackers to take over any user account that initiates a password reset, compromising user data and account security without requiring any special privileges or user interaction.

Technologies: @payloadcms/graphql (npm), payload (npm), PayloadCMS Payload. Vendors: npm, PayloadCMS.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-34751 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-34751 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-34751?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 1 April 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
@payloadcms/graphql (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=3.79.1; payload (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=3.79.1.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-34751?
Yes. @payloadcms/graphql (npm): upgrade to 3.79.1 or later; payload (npm): upgrade to 3.79.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-34751 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-34751?
Check whether you run @payloadcms/graphql (npm), payload (npm) or PayloadCMS 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

  • @payloadcms/graphql (npm): upgrade to 3.79.1 or later
    npm install @payloadcms/graphql@3.79.1
  • payload (npm): upgrade to 3.79.1 or later
    npm install payload@3.79.1

Technical details

The vulnerability is a parameter injection flaw (CWE-472) in Payload's password recovery endpoints that stems from insufficient input validation and insecure URL construction. An unauthenticated attacker can manipulate parameters in the password reset flow to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of a user, achieving pre-authentication account takeover. The attack requires no authentication, user interaction, or complex exploitation—only network access to the vulnerable endpoint. The flaw affects all versions prior to v3.79.1 in applications using auth-enabled collections with the built-in forgot-password functionality. A patch was released in v3.79.1 that hardens input validation and URL construction; users must upgrade immediately as no complete workarounds exist.

Affected products

  • Payload Payload < 3.79.1
  • Payload @payloadcms/graphql < 3.79.1

Identifiers

  • CVE-2026-34751
  • GHSA-hp5w-3hxx-vmwf

Timeline

  • 2026-04-01: disclosed: Advisory published
  • 2026-04-01: patched: Patch released in version 3.79.1

References

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