# CVE-2026-85955: Progress MarkLogic Server privilege escalation in XQuery evaluation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85955-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-12. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85955 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.9 · Published 2026-10-12

Progress MarkLogic Server is a document database engine used for storing and querying large volumes of business data. A critical vulnerability allows attackers with basic query-execution access to bypass privilege checks and execute XQuery code with elevated administrative permissions, potentially leading to complete server compromise and unauthorized access to all stored data.

Technologies: [Progress Marklogic Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/marklogic-server). Vendors: [Progress](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/progress).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85955 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85955 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85955?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 12 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Progress Marklogic Server 12.x before 12.1.0; 11.x before 11.3.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85955?** Yes: fixed in MarkLogic Server 12.1.0, 11.3.7 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-85955 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85955?** Check whether you run Progress Marklogic Server 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

- Fixed in MarkLogic Server 12.1.0, 11.3.7 or later

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a privilege escalation in XQuery evaluation functions that fail to enforce required evaluation privileges. An authenticated attacker with query-execution access can invoke XQuery evaluation functions that should require elevated permissions, resulting in remote code execution with administrative privileges. A fix exists in versions 12.1.0 and 11.3.7 or later.

## Affected products

- Progress MarkLogic Server 12.x before 12.1.0; 11.x before 11.3.7

## Timeline

- 2026-10-12: disclosed

## References

- [https://community.progress.com/s/article/Marklogic-Critical-Security-Alert-Bulletin-October-2026](https://community.progress.com/s/article/Marklogic-Critical-Security-Alert-Bulletin-October-2026)

## Related threats

- [Progress MarkLogic Server HTTP response splitting in Query Console](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85976-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server cleartext S3 transport default](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85975-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server TLS hostname validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85974-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server cleartext cluster-management communications](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85973-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-may-use)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server Kerberos authentication verification bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85972-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)