# Laravel TokenGuard authentication bypass through non-string API credentials (CVE-2026-114509) · pwn.watch

> Laravel's built-in TokenGuard, when configured as a standard token-based API guard, can be bypassed to log in as an arbitrary existing user without their API token. On some database configurations (MySQL/MariaDB), a crafted non-string credential is mishandled during the lookup so the query matches an unintended user instead of failing. An unauthenticated attacker can take over accounts on any route protected by that guard. Upgrade laravel/framework to 12.68.0 or 13.29.0. GitHub rates it critical (CVSS 4.0 score 9.2).

Page: https://pwn.watch/i/laravel-tokenguard-auth-bypass-cve-2026-114509 · generated 2026-10-23T22:18:51.766Z

## Status
- Severity: critical · status: live · patch: patched
- Product: Laravel framework (laravel/framework) TokenGuard
- Started: 2026-10-23
- CVEs: CVE-2026-114509
- Affected: laravel/framework < 12.68.0; laravel/framework >= 13.0.0, < 13.29.0
- Fixed in: laravel/framework 12.68.0; laravel/framework 13.29.0

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## Updates (newest first)
- 2026-10-23: Laravel publishes GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6 (CVE-2026-114509); fixes ship in laravel/framework 12.68.0 and 13.29.0. (https://github.com/laravel/framework/security/advisories/GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6)

## Fix brief
# Security brief: Laravel TokenGuard authentication bypass through non-string API credentials (CVE-2026-114509)

Source: https://pwn.watch/i/laravel-tokenguard-auth-bypass-cve-2026-114509 · status: live · severity: critical · updated Oct 23, 2026, 22:11 UTC

## Patch status
**PATCHED: fixed releases exist. Upgrade to a fixed version.**

## What it is
Laravel's built-in TokenGuard, when configured as a standard token-based API guard, can be bypassed to log in as an arbitrary existing user without their API token. On some database configurations (MySQL/MariaDB), a crafted non-string credential is mishandled during the lookup so the query matches an unintended user instead of failing. An unauthenticated attacker can take over accounts on any route protected by that guard. Upgrade laravel/framework to 12.68.0 or 13.29.0. GitHub rates it critical (CVSS 4.0 score 9.2).

Severity detail: CVSS 4.0 9.2 per GitHub; only apps using the built-in token API guard on MySQL/MariaDB-style configurations

- Product: Laravel framework (laravel/framework) TokenGuard
- CVE / advisory ids: CVE-2026-114509

## Affected versions
- laravel/framework < 12.68.0
- laravel/framework >= 13.0.0, < 13.29.0

## Check whether you're affected
No generic command applies (the product is a hosted service, appliance or desktop app). Check the installed version in its admin UI / About screen and compare with the versions above.

## Fix
Upgrade to one of these fixed versions (or later on the same branch):
- laravel/framework 12.68.0
- laravel/framework 13.29.0

After upgrading, re-run the checks above and redeploy/restart the affected services.

## Secrets to rotate
This incident involves possible credential exposure. Rotate any credentials (API keys, tokens, env vars, SSH keys) that were present on affected systems or in affected builds while vulnerable/compromised versions were installed, and review access logs.

## Specific notes
If a PHP project requires laravel/framework below 12.68.0 (or 13.x below 13.29.0) and uses the built-in token API guard, update it (composer update laravel/framework) to 12.68.0 or 13.29.0 or later.

## Latest updates
- Oct 23, 2026: Laravel publishes GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6 (CVE-2026-114509); fixes ship in laravel/framework 12.68.0 and 13.29.0.

## Advisories
- [GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6: TokenGuard authentication bypass through non-string API credentials](https://github.com/laravel/framework/security/advisories/GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6) (laravel/framework)
- [GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-f9x3-7vq9-cph6) (GitHub Advisory Database)
- [CVE-2026-114509](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-114509) (NVD)
- [Laravel v12.68.0 release](https://github.com/laravel/framework/releases/tag/v12.68.0) (laravel/framework)
- [Laravel v13.29.0 release](https://github.com/laravel/framework/releases/tag/v13.29.0) (laravel/framework)

---
Machine-readable: https://pwn.watch/i/laravel-tokenguard-auth-bypass-cve-2026-114509.json · all incidents: https://pwn.watch/incidents.json. Verify against the vendor advisory before changing production systems.