Privilege escalation: all users can access Admin-level API keys

Impact

An error in the implementation of the limits service in 4.0.0 allows all authenticated users (including contributors) to view admin-level API keys via the integrations API endpoint, leading to a privilege escalation vulnerability.

Ghost(Pro) has already been patched. Self-hosters are impacted if running Ghost a version between 4.0.0 and 4.9.4. Immediate action should be taken to secure your site - see patches & workarounds below.

It is highly recommended to regenerate all API keys after patching or applying the workaround below.

Patches

Fixed in 4.10.0, all 4.x sites should upgrade as soon as possible.

Workarounds

• Disable all non-Administrator accounts to prevent API access.

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

• email us at security@ghost.org

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Credits: Aden Yap Chuen Zhen, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Malaysia)