CVE-2026-33877

ApostropheCMS: User Enumeration via Timing Side Channel in Password Reset Endpoint

Published Apr 15, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 3.7 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system. Versions 4.28.0 and prior contain a timing side-channel vulnerability in the password reset endpoint (/api/v1/@apostrophecms/login/reset-request) that allows unauthenticated username and email enumeration. When a user is not found, the handler returns after a fixed 2-second artificial delay, but when a valid user is found, it performs a MongoDB update and SMTP email send with no equivalent delay normalization, producing measurably different response times. The endpoint also accepts both username and email via an $or query, and has no rate limiting as the existing checkLoginAttempts throttle only applies to the login flow. This enables automated enumeration of valid accounts for use in credential stuffing or targeted phishing. Only instances that have explicitly enabled the passwordReset option are affected, as it defaults to false. This issue has been fixed in version 4.29.0.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-mj7r-x3h3-7rmr ApostropheCMS: User Enumeration via Timing Side Channel in Password Reset Endpoint
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:apostrophecms:apostrophecms:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apostrophecms
Apostrophecms apostrophecms
Vendors & Products Apostrophecms
Apostrophecms apostrophecms
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description ApostropheCMS is an open-source Node.js content management system. Versions 4.28.0 and prior contain a timing side-channel vulnerability in the password reset endpoint (/api/v1/@apostrophecms/login/reset-request) that allows unauthenticated username and email enumeration. When a user is not found, the handler returns after a fixed 2-second artificial delay, but when a valid user is found, it performs a MongoDB update and SMTP email send with no equivalent delay normalization, producing measurably different response times. The endpoint also accepts both username and email via an $or query, and has no rate limiting as the existing checkLoginAttempts throttle only applies to the login flow. This enables automated enumeration of valid accounts for use in credential stuffing or targeted phishing. Only instances that have explicitly enabled the passwordReset option are affected, as it defaults to false. This issue has been fixed in version 4.29.0.
Title ApostropheCMS: User Enumeration via Timing Side Channel in Password Reset Endpoint
Weaknesses CWE-208
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 3.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Apr 15, 2026, 7:30 PM
Reserved
Mar 24, 2026, 3:10 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 15, 2026, 8:16 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 10:10 PM