# CVE-2026-105844: Payload: Prototype pollution in Payload Import Export plugin

> Unauthenticated attackers can achieve remote code execution via prototype pollution in the Payload CMS Import Export plugin when enabled.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 6 Oct 2026
- **Updated:** 9 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qf28-8hc6-vwrp

## What is CVE-2026-105844?

CVE-2026-105844 is a critical code injection vulnerability in @payloadcms payload, published on 6 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Payload is a free and open source headless content management system. In versions from 3.0.0 before 3.88.0 and canary versions before 4.0.0-canary.27, an unauthenticated user can submit prototype-sensitive field paths when @payloadcms/plugin-import-export is enabled, causing unintended application behavior that can lead to remote code execution. This issue is fixed in versions 3.88.0 and 4.0.0-canary.27.

Weakness: CWE-1321 (Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-105844?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including @payloadcms/plugin-import-export.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `@payloadcms/plugin-import-export` | npm | From 3.0.0 | 3.88.0 |
| `@payloadcms/plugin-import-export` | npm | From 3.0.0 | 3.88.0 |
| `@payloadcms/plugin-import-export` | npm | From 4.0.0-canary.0 | 4.0.0-canary.27 |
| `@payloadcms/plugin-import-export` | npm | From 4.0.0-canary.0 | 4.0.0-canary.27 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-105844?

Upgrade @payloadcms/plugin-import-export to a fixed version for your release line: 3.88.0 or 4.0.0-canary.27.

## Is CVE-2026-105844 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-105844 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2026-105844 — Payload CMS @payloadcms/plugin-import-export <3.88.0 unauth prototype pollution (CWE-1321, CVSS 4.0 9.3). PoCbit PoC: POST /api/exports/export-preview fields __proto__.overrideAccess → ACL bypass / data leak. check/exploit/mass. Fix 3.88.0+. https://pocbit.org/pocs/cve-2026-105844 (github_poc): https://github.com/murrez/CVE-2026-105844

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-105844 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-105844 is a critical code injection vulnerability in @payloadcms payload, published on 6 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-105844 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- @payloadcms/plugin-import-export (npm): affected from 3.0.0; fixed in 3.88.0
- @payloadcms/plugin-import-export (npm): affected from 3.0.0; fixed in 3.88.0
- @payloadcms/plugin-import-export (npm): affected from 4.0.0-canary.0; fixed in 4.0.0-canary.27
- @payloadcms/plugin-import-export (npm): affected from 4.0.0-canary.0; fixed in 4.0.0-canary.27

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-105844/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-105844/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-105844
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-105844
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-105844

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-105844/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.