CVE-2026-28216 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting hoppscotch, an open source API development ecosystem. This vulnerability allows any logged-in user to read, modify, or delete another user's personal environment by ID. Specifically, prior to version 2026.2.0, the `updateUserEnvironment` mutation uses `@UseGuards(GqlAuthGuard)` but is missing the `@GqlUser()` decorator entirely. As a result, the user's identity is never extracted, allowing an authenticated attacker to exploit this flaw.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.3, indicating a high level of risk to organizations. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, and it has low complexity with low privileges required. The attacker does not need user interaction, which increases the potential for exploitation. Risk to organizations includes exposure of sensitive API keys, authentication tokens, and other secrets stored in hoppscotch environments. An authenticated attacker who obtains another user's environment ID can access their secrets, replace them with malicious values, or delete them altogether.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, as version 2026.2.0 addresses this issue, implementing necessary safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to personal environments.
The vulnerability was published on February 26, 2026, and has been classified under CWE-639, indicating an issue related to access control. As of now, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available, but the potential for exploitation in real-world scenarios exists due to the nature of the vulnerability.
Organizations should be aware of the implications of this vulnerability and take proactive measures to secure their hoppscotch installations.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in hoppscotch is characterized by the ability of logged-in users to access each other's personal environments without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability is located specifically in the `user-environments.resolver.ts` file, affecting the `updateUserEnvironment` and `deleteUserEnvironment` mutations. The former does not enforce ownership checks, while the latter fails to properly validate user access to the requested environment.
The CVSS score of 8.3 reflects a high severity level, with potential impacts on confidentiality and integrity classified as high, while availability is rated as low. The affected versions are those prior to 2026.2.0, with a patch available that resolves the vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the failure to implement proper access controls. The `updateUserEnvironment` mutation lacks the `@GqlUser()` decorator, leading to a scenario where the service can update user environments based solely on the provided environment ID without verifying the user's ownership of that environment.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing any authenticated user to exploit this vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, as attackers only need to be logged into the system with minimal privileges. No user interaction is required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant; attackers may gain access to sensitive data, such as API keys and authentication tokens, affecting the confidentiality and integrity of the data stored in hoppscotch environments. The availability impact is rated as low, as the service remains operational even if user environments are deleted.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2026-28216 is significant, particularly for organizations utilizing hoppscotch for API development. Given that sensitive information can be compromised, the potential for insider threats and other malicious activities is heightened. The blast radius of this vulnerability could extend to any user who has access to the platform, increasing the urgency for organizations to address the issue.
With a CVSS score of 8.3, the urgency for remediation is high. Organizations should not only prioritize patching this vulnerability but also conduct a thorough review of their access control configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to 2026.2.0 of hoppscotch are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to this version or later to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch hoppscotch to version 2026.2.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Furthermore, it is advisable to audit access controls and ensure that all user privileges are appropriately set to reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities.
For organizations looking to validate their security posture, consider engaging in penetration testing to identify and remediate any potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns or unauthorized modifications to user environments. Behavioral anomalies in user activity should be investigated promptly to identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust access control measures within API development frameworks. The trend of vulnerabilities related to insufficient authorization remains a critical concern for security teams.
To stay informed about similar vulnerabilities, organizations should consider establishing a vulnerability management program that facilitates timely updates and security enhancements.
For organizations deploying hoppscotch, conducting regular penetration testing can help identify and mitigate potential risks associated with API vulnerabilities.
Organizations should also consider leveraging API security testing best practices to enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)