# CVE-2026-123816: pyLoad: Authentication bypass in API key validation (check_apikey cache)

Status: published. Published: 2026-11-09. Updated: 2026-11-09.

pyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. Prior to 0.5.0b3.dev101, Api.check_apikey caches successful validation in self._apikey_cache using only the attacker-controlled key_id. After a legitimate key populates the cache, a forged API key with the same key_id reaches the cache-hit path without comparing apikey[-43:] to the stored hash through hmac.compare_digest. Key identifiers are small sequential integers, so an unauthenticated remote attacker can enumerate an active identifier and inherit the cached key owner's permissions during the 300-second cache lifetime. This issue is fixed in version 0.5.0b3.dev101.

## Remediation

No remediation reported in collected sources

## Affected products and versions

- pyload / pyload: < 0.5.0b3.dev101 (affected). Source: CNA: GitHub_M

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 8.1 (high); CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H; source: CNA: GitHub_M

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: Not available

- SSVC: Not available

- Weaknesses: CWE-287

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://github.com/pyload/pyload/security/advisories/GHSA-r44w-v6gf-x3p6 (CNA: GitHub_M; x_refsource_CONFIRM)

- https://github.com/pyload/pyload/commit/00d1372510f915f843b1574a3f1b28fbb724a42e (CNA: GitHub_M; x_refsource_MISC)

## Provenance

- CNA: GitHub_M: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-123816; retrieved 2026-11-09; source updated 2026-11-09

Revision: 205207398e4251eca11d2c308b8ffa95e6e8bd09526d07337244db2a881db881

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-123816

## Agent and API access

Public CVE pages, Markdown, and JSON are free to read without an account or API key.

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- WebMCP: search_cve_disclosures, get_cve_disclosure, get_cve_page_markdown, get_y2_cve_access. Available in compatible browsers.

- Cyber API: https://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cves and https://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cves/{cveId}.

- Y2 Pro or Elite: create a workspace API key with the intel:cyber scope and send Authorization: Bearer <Y2_API_KEY>. Setup: https://y2.dev/docs/api/create-key.

- x402: Pay per request without an account or API key. Omit Authorization, read the HTTP 402 PAYMENT-REQUIRED challenge, validate its current requirements, and retry with PAYMENT-SIGNATURE through an authorized payment client. These browser tools never make payments. Guide: https://y2.dev/docs/api/x402.

- OpenAPI: https://y2.dev/api/openapi.yaml. Agent access metadata: https://y2.dev/cve/agent.json.

Collected public records only. Check source status for coverage and freshness.