The vulnerability CVE-2026-40486 could compromise system integrity but typically requires user interaction to be exploited.
Status: Received on 17 Apr 2026, 23:16 UTC
Published on: 17 Apr 2026, 23:16 UTC
CVSS Release: version 3
security-advisories@github.com
Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
CVE-2026-40486: Kimai is an open-source time tracking application. In versions 2.52.0 and below, the User Preferences API endpoint (PATCH /api/users/{id}/preferences) applies submitted preference values without checking the isEnabled() flag on preference objects. Although the hourly_rate and internal_rate fields are correctly marked as disabled for users lacking the hourly-rate role permission, the API ignores this restriction and saves the values directly. Any authenticated user can modify their own billing rates through this endpoint, resulting in unauthorized financial tampering affecting invoices and timesheet calculations. This issue has been fixed in version 2.53.0.
The exploitability of CVE-2026-40486 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).
CVE-2026-40486 presents an accessible attack vector with minimal effort required. Restricting access controls and implementing security updates are critical to reducing exploitation risks.
A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.
Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.
Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.
Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2026-40486, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.
Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2026-40486, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.
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