# CVE-2026-44221: ArcadeDB: Cross-database authorization bypass and unsecured newly-created databases

> Authenticated users can bypass authorization to read, write, and modify schema in any database on the same ArcadeDB server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 May 2026
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fxc7-fm93-6q77

## What is CVE-2026-44221?

CVE-2026-44221 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in ArcadeData arcadedb, published on 12 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

ArcadeDB is a Multi-Model DBMS. Starting in version 21.10.1 and prior to version 26.4.2, authenticated users and API tokens scoped to a specific database could read, write, and mutate schema on any other database on the same server. Two distinct defects contributed: (1) ServerSecurityUser.getDatabaseUser() returned a DB user with an uninitialized fileAccessMap, which requestAccessOnFile treated as allow-all; (2) ArcadeDBServer.createDatabase() omitted factory.setSecurity(...) so any database created via POST /api/v1/server {"command":"create database X"} had its entire record-level authorization system silently disabled. In combination, record-level and database-level authorization could be bypassed by any authenticated principal. This vulnerability is fixed in 26.4.2.

Weakness: CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-44221?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server` | Maven | From 21.10.1 | 26.4.2 |
| `com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server` | Maven | From 21.10.1 | 26.4.2 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-44221?

Upgrade com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server to 26.4.2 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-44221 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-44221 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-44221 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-44221 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in ArcadeData arcadedb, published on 12 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-44221 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server (Maven): affected from 21.10.1; fixed in 26.4.2
- com.arcadedb:arcadedb-server (Maven): affected from 21.10.1; fixed in 26.4.2

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-2026-44221/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-44221/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-44221
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44221
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-44221

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-44221/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.