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TI-2023-12209 Aliases CVE-2023-27481GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf

Extract password hashes through export querying in directus

Priority LOW 21CWE-200Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Information disclosure
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
Low · None · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-200.

Summary

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`.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00604 49th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed directus (directus): 9.16.0directus (npm): 9.16.0

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
directusdirectusbefore 9.16.09.16.0Patch availableCNA
—directus (npm)before 9.16.09.16.0Patch availableGHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf
  • directus Vendordirectus Affected before 9.16.0 Fixed in 9.16.0 Patch available CNA
  • directus (npm) Vendor— Affected before 9.16.0 Fixed in 9.16.0 Patch available GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:monospace:directus:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*before 9.16.0Vulnerabledirectus
  • cpe:2.3:a:monospace:directus:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions before 9.16.0 Vulnerable ·directus

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA directus (directus) Fixed in 9.16.0
  • Fix · GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf directus (npm) Fixed in 9.16.0 Advisory →

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-27481
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-m5q3-8wgf-x8xf

References

Patch 2

Advisory 2

Other 1

  • TI-2025-21659 Directus's webhook trigger flows can leak sensitive data CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
  • TI-2024-36266 Directus allows unauthenticated access to WebSocket events and operations CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2024-26791 Directus allows SSO User Enumeration CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2024-23956 Directus is soft-locked by providing a string value to random string util CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2024-26624 Directus Incorrectly handles _in` filter CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.7
  • TI-2025-21658 Directus `search` query parameter allows enumeration of non permitted fields CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.3
See all 55 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences