CVE-2026-86178 Pixelfed through 0.12.9 Unauthorized Story Access via API
Authenticated attackers can access private story media and author details by bypassing follower checks in Pixelfed API endpoints.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-86178?
CVE-2026-86178 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in pixelfed, published on 5 Sep 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Pixelfed through 0.12.9 fails to validate follower status in StoryComposeController react and comment endpoints, allowing authenticated users to access follower-only stories. Attackers can enumerate sequential story IDs and submit reactions or comments to retrieve story media URLs and author information without following the account.
Weakness: CWE-862
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-86178?
How do I fix CVE-2026-86178?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-86178 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2026-86178 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-86178 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-cxpc-p44g-hxj7.