Insufficient Session Expiration in Pterodactyl API
Impact
A vulnerability exists in Pterodactyl Panel <= 1.6.6 that could allow a malicious attacker that compromises an API key to generate an authenticated user session that is not revoked when the API key is deleted, thus allowing the malicious user to remain logged in as the user the key belonged to.
It is important to note that a malicious user must first compromise an existing API key for a user to exploit this issue. It cannot be exploited by chance, and requires a coordinated attack against an individual account using a known API key.
Patches
This issue has been addressed in the v1.7.0 release of Pterodactyl Panel.
Workarounds
Those not wishing to upgrade may apply the change below:
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/Api/AuthenticateKey.php b/app/Http/Middleware/Api/AuthenticateKey.php
index eb25dac6..857bfab2 100644
--- a/app/Http/Middleware/Api/AuthenticateKey.php
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/Api/AuthenticateKey.php
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class AuthenticateKey
} else {
$model = $this->authenticateApiKey($request->bearerToken(), $keyType);
- $this->auth->guard()->loginUsingId($model->user_id);
+ $this->auth->guard()->onceUsingId($model->user_id);
}
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory please reach out to Tactical Fish#8008 on Discord or email dane@pterodactyl.io.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | pterodactyl/panel | < 1.7.0 | 1.7.0 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-613- Platform
- Composer
- Package
pterodactyl/panel- Disclosed
- 21.01.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7v3x-h7r2-34jv - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pterodactyl/panel
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 19
- First → latest
- 10.2020 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 6
- Medium 8
- Low 3
Disclosures per year
- 2020: 1
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 2
- 2026: 9
-
Insufficient Session Expiration in Pterodactyl API this entry
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