phpMyFAQ Allows Unauthenticated Account Creation via WebAuthn Prepare Endpoint
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-862.
Summary
phpMyFAQ is an open source FAQ web application. Prior to version 4.0.18, the WebAuthn prepare endpoint (`/api/webauthn/prepare`) creates new active user accounts without any authentication, CSRF protection, captcha, or configuration checks. This allows unauthenticated attackers to create unlimited user accounts even when registration is disabled. Version 4.0.18 fixes the issue.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thorsten | phpMyFAQ | before 4.0.18 | 4.0.18 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | thorsten/phpmyfaq (Packagist) | before 4.0.18 | 4.0.18 | Patch available | GHSA-w22q-m2fm-x9f4 |
- phpMyFAQ Vendorthorsten Affected before 4.0.18 Fixed in 4.0.18 Patch available CNA
- thorsten/phpmyfaq (Packagist) Vendor— Affected before 4.0.18 Fixed in 4.0.18 Patch available GHSA-w22q-m2fm-x9f4
Remediation
- Fix · CNA phpMyFAQ (thorsten) Fixed in 4.0.18
- Fix · GHSA-w22q-m2fm-x9f4 thorsten/phpmyfaq (Packagist) Fixed in 4.0.18 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-27836
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-w22q-m2fm-x9f4
References
More thorsten Phpmyfaq vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-00296 Improper Authentication in thorsten/phpmyfaq CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-53313 phpMyFAQ 3.1.0 through 4.1.6 Authentication Bypass via LDAP CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-37331 phpMyFAQ duplicate email registration allows multiple accounts with the same email CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-36257 phpMyFAQ Generates an Error Message Containing Sensitive Information if database server is not available CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2023-03720 Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in thorsten/phpmyfaq CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-00749 Command Injection in thorsten/phpmyfaq CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-27836 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-27836 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-w22q-m2fm-x9f4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences