CVE-2026-11779: Payload Payload CMS Default Account-unlock Access Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-jg8r-5jh2-v2xj
Share
CWE-307
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-11779 is a MODERATE payload cms default account-unlock access vulnerability (CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts) affecting Payload libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves payload cms default account-unlock access allows authenticated users to reset other accounts' lockouts. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2026-11779 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-11779
GHSA Identifier GHSA-jg8r-5jh2-v2xj
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
Affected Product Payload
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-11779

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Payload dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

payload fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install payload@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls payload

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-11779, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls payload

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Payload in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls payload command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, where the product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame. In Payload, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

An Improper Authorization vulnerability exists in PayloadCMS version 3.84.1 due to insufficient access control on the account unlock operation.

CVE-2026-11779 Affected Payload Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
payload
npm/payload
npm
≤ 3.88.0

References

NVD — CVE-2026-11779 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11779
fluidattacks.com/es/advisories/stitc... WEB
https://fluidattacks.com/es/advisories/stitches
Payload Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/payloadcms/payload

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-11779?
CVE-2026-11779 is a security vulnerability in Payload involving Payload CMS default account-unlock access allows authenticated users to reset other accounts' lockouts under CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts.
Which Payload versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: payload.
What version fixes CVE-2026-11779?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is payload affected?
Yes, payload is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-11779?
CVE-2026-11779 is classified under CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts (The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-11779?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls payload'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-jg8r-5jh2-v2xj",
  "modified" : "2026-09-04T17:47:16Z",
  "published" : "2026-06-26T18:33:59Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-11779" ],
  "summary" : "Payload CMS default account-unlock access allows authenticated users to reset other accounts' lockouts",
  "details" : "An Improper Authorization vulnerability exists in PayloadCMS version 3.84.1 due to insufficient access control on the account unlock operation.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "payload"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "3.88.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11779"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://fluidattacks.com/es/advisories/stitches"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/payloadcms/payload"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-307" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-09-04T17:47:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-06-26T17:16:32Z"
  }
}