How severe is CVE-2023-38503?

CVE-2023-38503 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-38503 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-38503?

CVE-2023-38503 affects Monospace Directus. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38503?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-38503 published?

CVE-2023-38503 was published on 2023-07-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-38503

CVE-2023-38503 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Monospace Directus with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.7. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-863.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.7)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (34th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Monospace Directus
Published: 2023-07-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Starting in version 10.3.0 and prior to version 10.5.0, the permission filters (i.e. `user_created IS $CURRENT_USER`) are not properly checked when using GraphQL subscription resulting in unauthorized users getting event on their subscription which they should not be receiving according to the permissions. This can be any collection but out-of-the box the `directus_users` collection is configured with such a permissions filter allowing you to get updates for other users when changes happen. Version 10.5.0 contains a patch. As a workaround, disable GraphQL subscriptions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-38503?: Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Starting in version 10.3.0 and prior to version 10.5.0, the permission filters (i.e. `user_created IS $CURRENT_USER`) are not properly checked when using GraphQL subscription resulting in unauthorized users getting event on their subscription which they should not be receiving according to the permissions. This can be any collection but out-of-the box the `directus_users` collection is configured with such a permissions filter allowing you to get updates for other users when changes happen. Version 10.5.0 contains a patch. As a workaround, disable GraphQL subscriptions.
How severe is CVE-2023-38503?: CVE-2023-38503 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-38503 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-38503?: CVE-2023-38503 affects Monospace Directus. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-38503?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-38503 published?: CVE-2023-38503 was published on 2023-07-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:monospace:directus:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Monospace Directus

CVE-2022-26969 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Directus before 9.7.0, the default settings of CORS_ORIGIN and CORS_ENABLED are true.
CVE-2025-55746 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. From 10.8.0 to before 11.9.3, a…
CVE-2026-35408 — High (CVSS 8.7): Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Prior to 11.17.0, Directus's Single…
CVE-2025-30353 — High (CVSS 8.6): Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Starting in version 9.12.0 and prior…
CVE-2026-39942 — High (CVSS 8.5): Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. Prior to 11.17.0, the PATCH…
CVE-2024-27295 — High (CVSS 8.2): Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. The password reset mechanism of the…

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