ArcadeDB: Privilege escalation via reader role in /api/v1/command JS scripting language — arbitrary host file read
Key facts
- Attack vector
- —
- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Privilege escalation, Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-269 and CWE-863.
Summary
### Impact A user holding only `reader` (read-only) privileges on a single database could execute arbitrary JVM code by sending a `"language": "js"` command to the `POST /api/v1/command/{database}` HTTP endpoint, and use it to read arbitrary files on the host filesystem (e.g. `/etc/passwd`, configuration files), outside the scope of the database itself. Two cooperating defects made this possible: 1. **Missing authorization on the scripting path (CWE-863 / CWE-269).** Polyglot script execution (`js` and other GraalVM languages) never went through the database authorization checks applied to SQL/Cypher, so any authenticated principal - regardless of database role - could run scripts. 2. **Sandbox whitelist bypass.** The GraalVM sandbox restricts direct class lookups to a configured `allowedPackages` list, but a script could reach arbitrary classes by reflecting off the bound `database` object: `database.getClass().getClassLoader().loadClass("java.io.File")`. Process creation was already blocked (`allowCreateProcess(false)`), so the confirmed impact is host **file read**, not OS command execution. Confidentiality: High. Integrity/Availability: None. This is a distinct entry point and root cause from CVE-2026-44221, CVE-2026-54076 and CVE-2026-54077, and is reproducible on builds that already contain those fixes. ### Patches The fix is applied in the engine so it covers every entry point (HTTP command, HA-forwarded commands, MCP `analyze`), not only the HTTP handler: - Polyglot script execution now requires the `updateSecurity` database-administrator permission on `command`, `analyze` and `registerFunctions`. The check runs on the request thread that carries the authenticated user and is a no-op in embedded mode and internal/system contexts (schema load, HA replication apply). - The GraalVM host-access policy now denies access to `java.lang.Class`, `java.lang.ClassLoader` and `java.lang.reflect` members, closing the reflection escape that bypassed `allowedPackages` - even for authorized administrators - while leaving normal method calls on bound objects and explicit `Java.type(...)` lookups (governed by `allowedPackages`) working. ### Workarounds Until upgraded, do not grant command/query access on the HTTP API to untrusted users, and treat any account that can reach `/api/v1/command` as capable of code execution. Note that after the fix, non-administrator accounts can no longer run `js`/polyglot scripts over HTTP. ### Credit Reported by @kyojune76.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server (Maven) | before 26.7.1 | 26.7.1 | Patch available | GHSA-48qw-824m-86pr |
- com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server (Maven) Vendor— Affected before 26.7.1 Fixed in 26.7.1 Patch available GHSA-48qw-824m-86pr
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-48qw-824m-86pr com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server (Maven) Fixed in 26.7.1 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-48qw-824m-86pr
References
Sources
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