Description

IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to SQL injection.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.6",
  "pubDate": "2026-11-07T05:18:55.103Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-11-07T05:18:55.103Z",
  "executiveSummary": "This vulnerability involves a SQL injection flaw present in IBM API Connect, affecting versions 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2. The vulnerability allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization within the affected components. Successful exploitation requires the attacker to possess authenticated access to the system. The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it could permit the extraction of sensitive data, configuration details, or credentials, leading to full data compromise or further lateral movement within the environment. Given the critical nature of API gateways, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the confidentiality and integrity of the managed API ecosystem.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is identified as a SQL injection (SQLi) condition within IBM API Connect, stemming from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. The flaw exists because the application fails to adequately sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. In versions 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2, specific application logic processes input data that is subsequently parsed by the database engine without sufficient abstraction or escaping mechanisms.\nThe attack flow begins with a remote, authenticated user submitting crafted malicious input through an interface that interacts with the vulnerable backend component. By injecting SQL syntax into fields that are intended to be interpreted as literal data, the attacker manipulates the structure of the resulting SQL query. This allows the attacker to terminate the intended query prematurely and append arbitrary commands, such as UNION-based SQL injection, to retrieve records from unauthorized tables or views.\nBecause the attacker is already authenticated, the application’s trust boundary is bypassed at the authorization layer. The vulnerable component operates with the privileges of the database service user; if that service user is overly privileged, the attacker may potentially perform tasks beyond simple data extraction, including data modification or deletion, depending on the specific database permissions mapped to the application service account. The exposure is network-based, as the attacker must reach the management or developer portals of the API Connect infrastructure where the vulnerable input fields are exposed.\nUpon successful execution, the backend database interprets the injected command as part of the authorized transaction. The result sets returned to the application are subsequently reflected back to the attacker, providing a mechanism for exfiltrating internal data. This technical flaw highlights a failure in the secure development lifecycle regarding input validation and the lack of robust prepared statements or parameterized queries in the affected modules. The risk is compounded by the centralized role of API Connect, which often stores sensitive metadata, API keys, and service configuration files, all of which become targets for an attacker leveraging this SQL injection capability."
}