Is this vulnerability remotely exploitable over the internet?

Yes, if the WebSocket subscription endpoint is accessible over the network (for example, on a public GraphQL API), a remote attacker can attempt to exploit it by speaking the `graphql-ws` subprotocol and skipping the `connection_init` handshake.

Does an attacker need valid credentials to exploit this?

No. The vulnerability specifically arises because the handler fails to enforce that authentication has occurred. An attacker only needs network-level access to the WebSocket endpoint; no valid token or session is required to attempt the bypass.

What is the safest general fix pattern?

The safest pattern is to enforce a strict WebSocket protocol state machine: require a `connection_init` message, perform authentication in that phase, and reject or close any connection that sends `start` messages before successful initialization. Additionally, ensure all subscription creation logic checks that an authenticated user context is present.

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

Authentication Bypass on WebSocket Subscriptions (CWE-306) in Strawberry GraphQL graphql-ws Handler

CVE-2026-35523

Published:

Apr 7, 2026

Status:

Undergoing Analysis

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

NDV

Recent Vulnerabilities

CWE-77;CWE-78

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

(9.8)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in Totolink A7100RU CGI Handler setAccessDeviceCfg

Remote Code Execution on the Router

April 12, 2026

CWE-77;CWE-78

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

(9.8)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in Totolink A7100RU CGI setLedCfg Handler

Remote Code Execution on the Router

April 12, 2026

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Authentication Bypass

CWE:

CWE-306

Impact:

Unauthorized Access to Protected GraphQL Subscriptions

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Authentication Bypass

CWE:

CWE-306

Impact:

Unauthorized Access to Protected GraphQL Subscriptions

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

CVSS Version:

3.1

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355 Bryant St. San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

Ask AI for summary of CodeAnt

Authentication Bypass on WebSocket Subscriptions (CWE-306) in Strawberry GraphQL graphql-ws Handler

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

Recent Vulnerabilities

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

(9.8)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in Totolink A7100RU CGI Handler setAccessDeviceCfg

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

(9.8)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in Totolink A7100RU CGI setLedCfg Handler

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

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