Summary
When GRAPHQL_INTROSPECTION=false is configured, Directus correctly blocks standard GraphQL introspection queries (__schema, __type). However, the server_specs_graphql resolver on the /graphql/system endpoint returns an equivalent SDL representation of the schema and was not subject to the same restriction. This allowed the introspection control to be bypassed, exposing schema structure (collection names, field names, types, and relationships) to unauthenticated users at the public permission level, and to authenticated users at their permitted permission level.
Credit
This vulnerability was discovered and reported by bugbunny.ai.
Impact
Administrators who set GRAPHQL_INTROSPECTION=false to hide schema structure from clients would have had a false sense of security, as equivalent schema information remained accessible via the SDL endpoint without authentication.
CVE-2026-35413 has a CVSS score of 5.3 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (11.16.1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-35413? CVE-2026-35413 is a medium-severity security vulnerability in directus (npm), affecting versions < 11.16.1. It is fixed in 11.16.1.
- How severe is CVE-2026-35413? CVE-2026-35413 has a CVSS score of 5.3 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of directus are affected by CVE-2026-35413? directus (npm) versions < 11.16.1 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-35413? Yes. CVE-2026-35413 is fixed in 11.16.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-35413 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-35413 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2026-35413 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-35413? Upgrade
directusto 11.16.1 or later.