# CVE-2026-42070: MantisBT authorization bypass in mc_issue_update API

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42070-mantisbt-authorization-bypass-in-mc-issue-update-api  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-28. Updated: 2026-06-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42070 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4 · Published 2026-05-28

MantisBT is a popular open-source bug tracking system used by organizations to manage software defects and project tasks. A security flaw allows lower-privileged users (Updaters) to modify or view private notes created by higher-privileged staff like Developers or Managers. This could lead to the exposure of confidential internal discussions or the unauthorized modification of project records.

Technologies: [MantisBT](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/mantisbt), [mantisbt/mantisbt (Packagist)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/mantisbt-mantisbt). Vendors: [MantisBT](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/mantisbt), [Packagist](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/packagist).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42070 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42070 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42070?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 28 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** MantisBT < 2.28.2, <= 2.28.1; mantisbt/mantisbt (Packagist) <= 2.28.1, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.28.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42070?** Yes. mantisbt/mantisbt (Packagist): upgrade to 2.28.2 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-42070 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42070?** Check whether you run MantisBT or mantisbt/mantisbt (Packagist) 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

- mantisbt/mantisbt (Packagist): upgrade to 2.28.2 or later

  ```sh
  composer require mantisbt/mantisbt:^2.28.2
  ```


## Technical details

An incorrect authorization vulnerability (CWE-863) exists in the mc_issue_update() function of MantisBT. While the dedicated mc_issue_note_update() function correctly enforces a 'DEVELOPER' threshold, the general issue update API fails to properly validate permissions for bugnote modifications. This allows an authenticated attacker with 'UPDATER' privileges to edit notes, change time tracking data, and toggle the visibility of private notes belonging to higher-privileged users. The issue is addressed in version 2.28.2.

## Affected products

- MantisBT MantisBT <= 2.28.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-42070
- GHSA-pq86-j2c2-47f6

## Timeline

- 2026-05-09: disclosed
- 2026-05-11: advisory
- 2026-05-28: other: NVD published

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/shukla304](https://api.github.com/users/shukla304)
- [https://github.com/shukla304](https://github.com/shukla304)
- [https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/repos](https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/6738276?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/6738276?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/shukla304/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [MantisBT authentication bypass in SOAP API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-47156-mantisbt-authentication-bypass-in-soap-api)
- [MantisBT stored XSS in print_all_bug_page_word.php](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62944-mantisbt-stored-xss-in-print-all-bug-page-word-php)
- [MantisBT improper input validation in REST and SOAP APIs](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52883-mantisbt-improper-input-validation-in-rest-and-soap-apis)
- [MantisBT authorization bypass in REST and SOAP APIs](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52882-mantisbt-authorization-bypass-in-rest-and-soap-apis)
- [MantisBT reflected XSS in admin/install.php](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52881-mantisbt-reflected-xss-in-admin-install-php)