CVE-2023-27481
Extract password hashes through export querying in directus
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Extract password hashes through export querying in directus
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users.
- Record
CVE-2023-27481- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-1055
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users.
- Record
EUVD-2023-1055- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf
Directus vulnerable to extraction of password hashes through export querying
Impact
Users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes.
Patches
The problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator.
Workarounds
Ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users is sufficient to prevent this vulnerability.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open a Discussion in directus/directus
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf- CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users.
- Record
CVE-2023-27481- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
Extract password hashes through export querying in directus
Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users.
- Record
CVE-2023-27481- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf
Directus vulnerable to extraction of password hashes through export querying
Impact
Users with read access to the password field in directus_users can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a _starts_with filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes.
Patches
The problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the _starts_with or other string operator.
Workarounds
Ensuring that no user has read access to the password field in directus_users is sufficient to prevent this vulnerability.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open a Discussion in directus/directus
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf- CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
directusnpm |
before 9.16.0 | 9.16.0 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-27481 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.3) in Directus, published March 7, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.60%, the 49th percentile. Fixed in directus 9.16.0.
References
github.com/directus/directus/security/advisories/GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27481