Critical ArangoDB Bugs Expose Entire Databases and Enable Remote Code Execution as Root
Two critical ArangoDB flaws (CVSS 9.8/9.9) allow unauthenticated API access and root-level code execution; fixed in 3.12.11.
Remedio researchers reported two critical ArangoDB flaws on August 23, 2026: an authentication bypass via URL-encoded underscores (%5f) in path parsing (GHSA-rrgq-978q-36mq, CVSS 9.8) and a task-execution flaw where a client-controlled isSystem flag lets JavaScript run in the internal context (GHSA-rvhw-4hpw-9vrx, CVSS 9.9). Chained, they allow unauthenticated database access, theft of root password hashes, and root-level code execution when arangod runs as root, such as in the official container image. Patches shipped August 31 in ArangoDB 3.12.11, with GitHub Security Advisories published September 6; CVE identifiers were pending at disclosure time.
- Encoded %5f in request paths bypasses ArangoDB's auth prefix check, exposing protected /_api endpoints without credentials
- Client-controlled isSystem flag runs JavaScript in internal context, enabling file access, SSRF, and root RCE in containers
- Researchers demonstrated access to root password hashes and /etc/shadow in affected deployments
- Fix shipped in ArangoDB 3.12.11; hunt for %5fapi requests and unexpected scheduled tasks with isSystem true
From the original article
4 min read at gbhackers.com
Two critical ArangoDB vulnerabilities can allow unauthenticated attackers to access protected database APIs and, after obtaining valid database access, escalate to root-level code execution on affected hosts. Security researchers reported the vulnerabilities to ArangoDB on August 23, 2026. Patches shipped on August 31, followed by GitHub Security Advisories published on September 6: GHSA-rrgq-978q-36mq for the […]
By Mayura Kathir · gbhackers.com
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