# CVE-2026-85956: Progress MarkLogic Server privilege escalation in backup/restore

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85956-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-2026-85956 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2026-10-12

Progress MarkLogic Server is a database platform that stores and manages XML and JSON data for enterprises. A vulnerability allows attackers with delegated database-administrator privileges to back up or restore data from forests (database storage units) outside their assigned scope, potentially exposing or modifying sensitive data. This affects MarkLogic Server versions 12.0.x and 11.x before specific patches.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85956 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85956 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85956?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 12 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85956?** Yes: fixed in MarkLogic Server 11.3.7, 12.1.0. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-85956 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85956?** 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 11.3.7, 12.1.0

## Technical details

A privilege-escalation flaw in MarkLogic Server 12.x before 12.1.0 and 11.x before 11.3.7 permits a remote attacker holding delegated database-administrator role to bypass authorization checks on backup and restore operations. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to or modification of forest data outside the attacker's delegated database scope, exploitable by authenticated administrative users without additional user interaction.

## Affected products

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

## 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)