CVE-2026-1170: Birkir Prime Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-1170 Overview

A vulnerability has been identified in birkir prime up to version 0.4.0.beta.0. This security issue affects the /graphql endpoint of the GraphQL API component, enabling information disclosure through improper handling of requests. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized parties.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit the GraphQL API endpoint to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information without requiring any authentication or user interaction.

Affected Products

• birkir prime versions up to 0.4.0.beta.0
• GraphQL API component at /graphql endpoint

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-19 - CVE-2026-1170 published to NVD
• 2026-01-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-1170

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The GraphQL API endpoint at /graphql in birkir prime fails to properly restrict access to sensitive information, allowing remote attackers to query and retrieve data that should be protected.

GraphQL APIs are particularly susceptible to information disclosure when introspection queries are enabled or when field-level authorization is improperly implemented. In this case, the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate GraphQL requests to extract information that should not be accessible to unauthenticated users.

The issue was reported to the project maintainers through a GitHub Issue Discussion, but the project has not yet responded to the disclosure.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the GraphQL API implementation. The /graphql endpoint does not adequately validate or restrict queries, allowing unauthorized information retrieval. This is a common issue in GraphQL implementations where:

1. Introspection queries may expose the entire API schema
2. Field-level authorization checks are missing or bypassed
3. Query depth and complexity limits are not enforced
4. Sensitive fields are exposed without proper authentication gates

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious GraphQL queries targeting the /graphql endpoint to extract sensitive information from the application.

The exploitation process involves sending specially crafted GraphQL queries to the vulnerable endpoint. Attackers may leverage introspection to discover the API schema and then query for sensitive data fields that lack proper authorization checks. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of opportunistic attacks against unpatched installations.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-1170

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or excessive GraphQL queries to the /graphql endpoint
• Introspection queries attempting to enumerate the API schema
• Requests containing deeply nested or complex GraphQL queries
• Access patterns indicating data enumeration or bulk extraction attempts

Detection Strategies

• Monitor HTTP logs for suspicious activity targeting the /graphql endpoint
• Implement GraphQL query logging and analysis to detect malicious query patterns
• Configure web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect GraphQL introspection attempts
• Review application logs for unauthorized data access or query failures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all GraphQL API requests and responses
• Set up alerts for introspection queries from untrusted sources
• Monitor for unusual spikes in GraphQL endpoint traffic
• Implement rate limiting and track clients exceeding normal query thresholds

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-1170

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the /graphql endpoint using network-level controls
• Disable GraphQL introspection in production environments
• Implement authentication requirements for all GraphQL queries
• Review and audit GraphQL schema for sensitive field exposure

Patch Information

As of the last update, the birkir prime project has not released an official patch for this vulnerability. The security issue was reported through a GitHub issue, but the maintainers have not yet responded. Organizations using this software should monitor the project repository for updates and consider the workarounds below until an official fix is available.

Additional technical details can be found in the VulDB CTI Report #341764.

Workarounds

• Disable GraphQL introspection by configuring your GraphQL server appropriately
• Implement a reverse proxy or API gateway to filter and validate GraphQL requests
• Apply field-level authorization to restrict access to sensitive data
• Consider temporarily disabling the GraphQL API if not critical to operations
• Implement IP whitelisting to restrict access to trusted sources only

# Example nginx configuration to restrict GraphQL endpoint access
location /graphql {
    # Restrict to internal networks only
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;
    allow 172.16.0.0/12;
    allow 192.168.0.0/16;
    deny all;
    
    # Rate limiting
    limit_req zone=graphql_limit burst=10 nodelay;
    
    proxy_pass http://backend;
}