Server vulnerability

The Photos app's filter-based "smart albums" build their file listing using the search configuration (photosSourceFolders) of the user viewing the album, rather than the album owner's configuration. When an album owner shares a smart album with another user, that user's own folder configuration is used to determine which of the owner's files are searched — allowing them to discover files (name, file ID, and other metadata) in folders the album owner never intended to include in the shared album. This requires the album owner to have shared a filter-based smart album with the attacker; it does not allow access to arbitrary users' files without such a share.

Published 18 Sep 2026Updated 18 Sep 20261 sources
CVSS 6.5

What happened

The Photos app's filter-based "smart albums" build their file listing using the search configuration (photosSourceFolders) of the user viewing the album, rather than the album owner's configuration. When an album owner shares a smart album with another user, that user's own folder configuration is used to determine which of the owner's files are searched — allowing them to discover files (name, file ID, and other metadata) in folders the album owner never intended to include in the shared album. This requires the album owner to have shared a filter-based smart album with the attacker; it does not allow access to arbitrary users' files without such a share.

Affected versions

Server: 32.0.0 through before 32.0.0 (semver) Fixed: See vendor advisory.

Why it matters

Review the vendor advisory and exposure of the affected product to determine operational impact.

Detection & mitigation

  • Apply vendor-provided updates or mitigations.
  • Review affected product exposure and access logs.

Public PoC references

No public PoC reference has passed the current publication threshold.