CVE-2026-72778

CVE-2026-72778 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-915.

Key facts

Description

Craft CMS versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and from 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6 contain an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the control panel element-search condition handling. Craft cleanses the outer request-controlled condition array via Component::cleanseConfig(), but Conditions::createCondition() later decodes and merges the JSON string in condition.config without re-running cleanseConfig() on the decoded configuration. Because condition.config is a JSON string during the first cleanse, Yii special config keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' can be hidden inside it and, after JSON decoding, are interpreted by Yii as behavior/event configuration during FieldLayout object creation. An attacker with an authenticated control panel session (and a valid CSRF token) can exploit this to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-72778?
Craft CMS versions from 4.0.0-RC1 before 4.18.2 and from 5.0.0-RC1 before 5.10.6 contain an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the control panel element-search condition handling. Craft cleanses the outer request-controlled condition array via Component::cleanseConfig(), but Conditions::createCondition() later decodes and merges the JSON string in condition.config without re-running cleanseConfig() on the decoded configuration. Because condition.config is a JSON string during the first cleanse, Yii special config keys such as 'as ...' and 'on ...' can be hidden inside it and, after JSON decoding, are interpreted by Yii as behavior/event configuration during FieldLayout object creation. An attacker with an authenticated control panel session (and a valid CSRF token) can exploit this to execute operating system commands as the PHP/web user.
How severe is CVE-2026-72778?
CVE-2026-72778 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-72778 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72778?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-72778 published?
CVE-2026-72778 was published on 2026-08-11 and last updated on 2026-08-14.

References

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