PyPI · django-cms
django CMS: Structure endpoint bypasses page-view permission
The structure-board endpoint (render_object_structure) renders a page's plugin structure without verifying that the requesting user is allowed to view the page. The edit and preview endpoints enforce this via render_page(), but the structure endpoint does not, allowing a low-privileged staff user to read the plugin structure of a view-restricted page.
render_object_structure (in cms/views.py) loads the PageContent object and renders cms/toolbar/structure.html directly. Unlike render_object_endpoint (used by edit/preview), which renders through render_pagecontent → render_page and calls user_can_view_page(request.user, page) (returning 404 when the user may not view the page), the structure endpoint performs no page-level authorization.
The rendered structure board includes each plugin's get_short_description() (e.g. link names/URLs, text snippets), so the content of a restricted page is disclosed, not just its shape.
A staff user (any account with is_staff=True) who lacks view permission on a view-restricted page can retrieve that page's plugin structure and short descriptions by requesting the structure endpoint with the page's content-type id and object id.
This only applies when CMS_PERMISSION=True and the page has view restrictions (or CMS_PUBLIC_FOR='staff'). Sites without per-page view restrictions are not affected.
Fixed in 5.0.8: the structure endpoint now enforces user_can_view_page() for PageContent objects, matching edit/preview.
None other than restricting staff access. Upgrade is recommended.
Reported by the security team at the University of Sydney ([@reporter]).
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Check my repoSources: CISA KEV (public domain), OSV.dev & GitHub Advisory Database (CC-BY-4.0), FIRST EPSS, NVD/CWE (public domain). Served live from the Stateward advisory database.