Summary
The REST API createUser endpoint uses string-based rank checks that only block creating owner accounts, while the Dashboard API uses indexOf-based rank comparison that prevents creating users at or above your own rank. This inconsistency allows an admin to create additional admin accounts via the REST API, enabling privilege proliferation and persistence.
Details
The REST API handler in packages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts:1365-1378:
// REST API — only blocks creating 'owner'
if (newUserRank === 'owner' && rank !== 'owner') {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized to create user with owner rank',
});
}
if (rank === 'admin' && newUserRank === 'owner') {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized to create user with owner rank',
});
}
// Missing: no check preventing admin from creating admin
// newUserRank='admin' passes all checksThe Dashboard API handler in _handlers/dashboard/create.ts uses the correct approach:
// Dashboard API — blocks creating users at or above own rank
const callerPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(userData.permissionLevel);
const targetPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(rank);
if (targetPerm >= callerPerm) {
return yield* new DashboardAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized: insufficient permissions to assign target rank',
});
}With availablePermissionRanks = ['unknown', 'visitor', 'editor', 'admin', 'owner']:
- Admin (index 3) creating admin (index 3):
3 >= 3 = blocked in Dashboard
- In REST API: no such check — allowed
PoC
# 1. Use an admin-level API token
# 2. Create a new admin user via REST API
curl -X POST 'http://localhost:4321/studiocms_api/rest/v1/secure/users' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer <admin-api-token>' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{
"username": "rogue_admin",
"email": "rogue@attacker.com",
"displayname": "Rogue Admin",
"rank": "admin",
"password": "StrongP@ssw0rd123"
}'
# Expected: 403 Forbidden (admin should not create peer admin accounts)
# Actual: 200 with new admin user createdImpact
- A compromised or rogue admin can create additional admin accounts as persistence mechanisms that survive password resets or token revocations
- Inconsistent security model between Dashboard API and REST API creates confusion about intended authorization boundaries
- Note: requires admin access (PR:H), which limits practical severity
Recommended Fix
Replace string-based checks with indexOf comparison in packages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts:
// Before:
if (newUserRank === 'owner' && rank !== 'owner') { ... }
if (rank === 'admin' && newUserRank === 'owner') { ... }
// After:
const availablePermissionRanks = ['unknown', 'visitor', 'editor', 'admin', 'owner'];
const callerPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(rank);
const targetPerm = availablePermissionRanks.indexOf(newUserRank);
if (targetPerm >= callerPerm) {
return yield* new RestAPIError({
error: 'Unauthorized: insufficient permissions to assign target rank',
});
}
restriction Reporter
Adammatthiesen Remediation developer
Summary
The REST API
createUserendpoint uses string-based rank checks that only block creatingowneraccounts, while the Dashboard API usesindexOf-based rank comparison that prevents creating users at or above your own rank. This inconsistency allows an admin to create additional admin accounts via the REST API, enabling privilege proliferation and persistence.Details
The REST API handler in
packages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts:1365-1378:The Dashboard API handler in
_handlers/dashboard/create.tsuses the correct approach:With
availablePermissionRanks = ['unknown', 'visitor', 'editor', 'admin', 'owner']:3 >= 3= blocked in DashboardPoC
Impact
Recommended Fix
Replace string-based checks with
indexOfcomparison inpackages/studiocms/frontend/pages/studiocms_api/_handlers/rest-api/v1/secure.ts: