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Unvalidated Input in Password Recovery Endpoints

Critical
denolfe published GHSA-hp5w-3hxx-vmwf Mar 30, 2026

Package

npm @payloadcms/graphql (npm)

Affected versions

< 3.79.1

Patched versions

3.79.1
npm payload (npm)
< 3.79.1
3.79.1

Description

Impact

A vulnerability in the password recovery flow could allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform actions on behalf of a user who initiates a password reset.

You are affected if:

  • Payload version < v3.79.1 with any auth-enabled collection using the built-in forgot-password functionality

Patches

Input validation and URL construction in the password recovery flow have been hardened.

Users should upgrade to v3.79.1 or later.

Workarounds

There are no complete workarounds. Upgrading to v3.79.1 is recommended.

Severity

Critical

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CVE ID

CVE-2026-34751

Weaknesses

External Control of Assumed-Immutable Web Parameter

The web application does not sufficiently verify inputs that are assumed to be immutable but are actually externally controllable, such as hidden form fields. Learn more on MITRE.

Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password

The product contains a mechanism for users to recover or change their passwords without knowing the original password, but the mechanism is weak. Learn more on MITRE.

Credits