GHSA-7x43-mpfg-r9wj

The GraphQL directive @parseRefs, intended to parse internal reference tags (e.g., {user:1:email}), can be abused by both authenticated users and unauthenticated guests (if a Public Schema is enabled) to access sensitive attributes of any element in the CMS. The implementation in Elements::parseRefs fails to perform authorization checks, allowing attackers to read data they are not authorized to view.

Vulnerability Details

craft\services\Elements::parseRefs identifies reference tags and resolves them using _getRefTokenReplacement. This method fetches the referenced element and accesses the specified attribute via $element->$attribute.

• Missing Auth Check: It bypasses canView() checks.
• Polymorphic Access: getElementTypeByRefHandle allows referencing any element type (entry, asset, user, category).
• Custom Field Access: Since Craft elements use __get() to resolve custom field handles, an attacker is not limited to core attributes. They can exfiltrate any custom field data by enumerating the field handle (e.g. {entry:123:privateNotes}).

Attack Vectors

1. Privilege Escalation / User Data Leak

An attacker can enumerate sensitive attributes of administrators or other users.

• Payload: {user:1:email} or {user:1:photoId}

2. Arbitrary Property Reflection & Server-Side Logic Execution

The vulnerability allows reflecting any accessible property of the underlying Element model.

• Username/Admin Enumeration: {user:1:username} (Confirmed: returns admin), {user:1:admin}.
• Internal Path Disclosure: Accessing methods that trigger errors (e.g., {user:1:authKey}) exposes full server stack traces in the GraphQL error response (e.g., Exception: No user session token exists with paths like /var/www/html/...).

3. IDOR on Private Entries & Assets (Polymorphism)

The vulnerability is not limited to Users. Reference tags can target any element type.

• Payload: {entry:456:myConfidentialField} (Bypasses canView checks).
• Asset Path...