Path traversal in Payload CMS upload cleanup deletes unintended files
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub.
Summary
Payload, a headless content management system, is affected before 3.90.0 and in canary versions from 4.0.0-canary.0 before 4.0.0-canary.34. Incomplete validation (CWE-22) lets file cleanup remove files outside the configured upload directory. An authenticated user who can update or delete locally stored uploads over the network can cause data loss or service disruption. Deployments that restrict upload management to trusted users are less exposed.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
Description from the CNA
Payload is a free and open source headless content management system. In versions before 3.90.0 and canary versions before 4.0.0-canary.34, an authenticated user who can update or delete uploads stored locally can cause file cleanup to remove unintended files outside the configured upload directory, resulting in data loss or service disruption. Deployments that restrict upload management to trusted users are less exposed. This issue is fixed in versions 3.90.0 and 4.0.0-canary.34.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| payloadcms | payload | before 3.90.0; 4.0.0-canary.0 to before 4.0.0-canary.34 | 3.90.0, 4.0.0-canary.34 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | payload (npm) | before 3.90.0 | 3.90.0 | Patch available | GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562 |
| — | payload (npm) | 4.0.0-canary.0 to before 4.0.0-canary.34 | 4.0.0-canary.34 | Patch available | GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562 |
- payload Vendorpayloadcms Affected before 3.90.0; 4.0.0-canary.0 to before 4.0.0-canary.34 Fixed in 3.90.0, 4.0.0-canary.34 Patch available CNA
- payload (npm) Vendor— Affected before 3.90.0 Fixed in 3.90.0 Patch available GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
- payload (npm) Vendor— Affected 4.0.0-canary.0 to before 4.0.0-canary.34 Fixed in 4.0.0-canary.34 Patch available GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
CPE configurations NVD · 35
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | before 3.90.0 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary0:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary0 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary1:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary1 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary10:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary10 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary11:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary11 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary12:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary12 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary13:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary13 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary14:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary14 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary15:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary15 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary16:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary16 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions before 3.90.0 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary0:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary0 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary1:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary1 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary10:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary10 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary11:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary11 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary12:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary12 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary13:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary13 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary14:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary14 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary15:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary15 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary16:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary16 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
Show 25 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary17:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary17 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary18:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary18 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary19:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary19 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary2:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary2 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary20:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary20 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary21:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary21 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary22:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary22 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary23:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary23 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary24:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary24 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary25:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary25 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary26:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary26 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary27:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary27 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary28:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary28 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary29:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary29 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary3:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary3 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary30:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary30 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary31:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary31 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary32:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary32 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary33:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary33 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary4:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary4 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary5:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary5 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary6:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary6 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary7:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary7 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary8:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary8 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
| cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary9:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | 4.0.0 canary9 | Vulnerable | payloadcms |
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary17:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary17 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary18:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary18 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary19:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary19 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary2:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary2 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary20:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary20 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary21:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary21 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary22:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary22 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary23:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary23 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary24:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary24 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary25:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary25 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary26:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary26 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary27:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary27 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary28:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary28 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary29:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary29 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary3:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary3 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary30:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary30 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary31:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary31 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary32:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary32 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary33:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary33 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary4:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary4 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary5:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary5 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary6:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary6 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary7:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary7 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary8:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary8 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
- cpe:2.3:a:payloadcms:payload:4.0.0:canary9:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 4.0.0 canary9 Vulnerable ·payloadcms
Remediation
Upgrade the npm package payload to 3.90.0 or, on the canary line, to 4.0.0-canary.34.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
- Fix · CNA payload (payloadcms) Fixed in 3.90.0, 4.0.0-canary.34
- Fix · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562 payload (npm) Fixed in 3.90.0 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562 payload (npm) Fixed in 4.0.0-canary.34 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-105865
- 2026-10-07 Alias added: GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
- 2026-10-07 Fix available: npm/[email protected], npm/[email protected] · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
- 2026-10-07 CVSS score added · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
- 2026-10-07 Weakness changed · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
- 2026-10-07 5 new references · GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562
References
Patch 2
Advisory 2
More payloadcms Payload vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-20653 Payload has an SQL Injection in JSON/RichText Queries on PostgreSQL/SQLite Adapters CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-68608 Payload CMS lets attackers update collection documents CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-68606 Remote code execution in Payload Form Builder plugin CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-68612 Payload authentication token field handling issue CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.2
- TI-2026-26995 Payload has Unvalidated Input in Password Recovery Endpoints CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2026-68489 Field access control bypass in Payload duplicate operation CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
Sources
- CVE-2026-105865 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-105865 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-p223-2wr2-j562 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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