Ghost: Authentication bypass via session handling allows 2FA bypass
Summary
Ghost versions 6.20.0 up to 6.57.1 contain a session handling flaw in the staff login. An authenticated staff user with valid credentials can log in as another staff user using only that user's password, bypassing two-factor authentication. The attacker can then reach administrative functions of the affected Ghost instance.
Affected
- Ghost 6.20.0 to before 6.57.1 (npm package ghost)
- Self-hosted installations (Docker, Ghost-CLI) of affected versions
- Hosted Ghost(Pro) instances are not covered by this entry, the provider patches them
Fixed in
- Ghost 6.57.1 (per the vendor advisory GHSA-q55r-w7fh-rmh6)
Workaround
- Unknown. No documented workaround for this CVE.
- Restrict access to the /ghost admin route to trusted networks or place it behind an SSO/IdP or access gateway (not verified against this flaw).
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA KEV.
- No public proof of concept detected at the time of the aggregator checks.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- No reports of in-the-wild exploitation found.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all Ghost instances and their versions, including hosted ones.
- Update self-hosted Ghost installations from 6.20.0 to before 6.57.1 to version 6.57.1 or later, after testing.
- Review staff accounts and recent admin activity for unexpected logins or changes.
- Restrict /ghost to trusted networks or add SSO/IdP protection in front of it.
- Rotate staff passwords if compromise is suspected.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-q55r-w7fh-rmh6 github.com
- VulnCheck advisory www.vulncheck.com
- OSV record CVE-2026-103283 osv.dev
- HOL Guard CVE-2026-103283 hol.org
- ThreatInt CVE-2026-103283 cve.threatint.com
- TheHackerWire CVE-2026-103283 www.thehackerwire.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 1 Nov 2026, 09:32.
Original description (NVD)
Ghost versions 6.20.0 before 6.57.1 contain a session handling vulnerability that allows authenticated staff users to log in as any other staff user with only the password, bypassing two-factor authentication. Attackers with valid staff credentials can exploit improper session management to impersonate other staff members and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.