Description

IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.9",
  "pubDate": "2026-11-07T05:18:44.673Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-11-07T05:18:44.673Z",
  "executiveSummary": "IBM API Connect versions 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 are susceptible to a SQL injection vulnerability resulting from improper input validation.\nThe vulnerability allows a remote, authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database by injecting malicious payloads into specific application inputs.\nThis flaw resides within the product's data processing logic, where special characters are not adequately neutralized before being utilized in database queries.\nSuccessful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to interact directly with the database, potentially leading to unauthorized data exfiltration, modification, or deletion.\nThe impact is significant as it compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive API management configuration data or processed information.\nThe attack vector requires the user to have valid authentication credentials to access the API Connect management interfaces or endpoints where the vulnerable parameters are processed.\nOrganizations using the affected versions are at risk of a full compromise of the backend database layer associated with the API Connect deployment.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, categorized as a failure to implement robust parameterized queries or prepared statements within the affected components of IBM API Connect.\nWhen the application processes user-supplied input, it fails to sanitize or escape characters that hold special significance within the SQL syntax (e.g., single quotes, semicolons, comments). This lack of mediation allows an attacker to manipulate the structure of the database query executed by the backend.\nThe attack flow begins with the authenticated user interacting with an API or management interface endpoint that accepts user input. An attacker crafts a malicious input string designed to break out of the intended data context and append arbitrary SQL commands. For example, injecting a string containing a 'UNION SELECT' statement or a stacked query using a semicolon allows the attacker to append their own database operations.\nBecause the application concatenates this unsanitized input directly into a dynamic SQL query, the database engine executes the attacker's injected commands with the privileges assigned to the database user account used by the API Connect service.\nThe vulnerability affects IBM API Connect versions 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2. The exposure is network-based, as the attacker must reach the vulnerable API management interface. While the requirement for authentication restricts the attack surface to authorized users, an attacker who has compromised a low-privilege account can leverage this vulnerability for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the data environment.\nPost-exploitation impact includes the ability to perform reconnaissance on the database schema, bypass business logic authentication controls, dump sensitive information from user tables or system catalogs, and in some database configurations, execute system-level commands if the database user possesses excessive administrative rights.\nThe vulnerability occurs because the application layer trusts the input provided within an authenticated session, failing to treat user-controlled data as untrusted input regardless of the authentication state of the user. This illustrates a fundamental breakdown in secure coding practices regarding data-to-query translation."
}