CVE-2026-91161 OpenWA: VIEWER API keys can read WhatsApp group invite codes
Attackers with VIEWER keys can retrieve WhatsApp group invite codes, allowing unauthorized accounts to join and access administered groups.
- 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-2026-91161?
CVE-2026-91161 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in rmyndharis OpenWA, published on 24 Sep 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
OpenWA is a free, open source, self-hosted WhatsApp API gateway. Prior to 0.23.5, the GET /api/sessions/{sessionId}/groups/{groupId}/invite-code endpoint and the GroupGetInviteCode MCP tool have no OPERATOR role requirement, allowing a valid VIEWER key scoped to a session to retrieve an active group invite code. The invite code is a transferable WhatsApp bearer capability, so an external account can join a group administered by the session without an OpenWA credential, gain read and post access to the group, and retain membership after the VIEWER key is revoked. Affected deployments are those that issue VIEWER keys to parties who should not be able to add accounts to administered groups; OPERATOR and ADMIN access is intended. This issue is fixed in version 0.23.5.
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-91161?
How do I fix CVE-2026-91161?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-91161 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-2026-91161 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-91161 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-45fh-xj7x-vj2x.