Description

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Apache Portable Runtime Utility via apr_dbd_oracle provider. This issue affects Apache Portable Runtime Utility: from 1.6.0 through 1.6.3

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.1",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-06T15:16:54.650Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-06T15:16:54.650Z",
  "executiveSummary": "An Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerability, commonly known as SQL Injection, has been identified in the Apache Portable Runtime Utility (APR-Util). The vulnerability specifically resides within the apr_dbd_oracle provider component, which is responsible for database abstraction and connectivity with Oracle database systems.\nThe flaw allows remote malicious actors to manipulate SQL queries constructed dynamically within the affected software. By supplying specially crafted input containing SQL metacharacters, an unauthenticated attacker can bypass security controls, execute arbitrary database queries, extract sensitive data, or potentially perform unauthorized data modification or administrative operations against the backend database management system.\nThe issue specifically impacts Apache Portable Runtime Utility versions ranging from 1.6.0 through 1.6.3. The risk implications are severe, as successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database assets managed by applications utilizing the vulnerable apr_dbd_oracle provider. No specific complex exploitation requirements are detailed other than the ability to interact with application interfaces that pass untrusted input to the vulnerable Oracle database driver routines.\nOrganizations deploying software reliant on these vulnerable versions of Apache Portable Runtime Utility must apply available vendor patches or upgrade to unaffected versions immediately to mitigate database compromise risks.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The root cause stems from the failure of the apr_dbd_oracle provider within Apache Portable Runtime Utility to properly sanitize, escape, or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query strings destined for execution on an Oracle database.\nThe vulnerable component is the apr_dbd_oracle database driver implementation in Apache Portable Runtime Utility versions 1.6.0 through 1.6.3. When client applications utilize the Apache Portable Runtime Database (APR-DBD) abstraction layer to interact with Oracle databases via the apr_dbd_oracle module, certain API functions fail to enforce strict parameter binding or adequately neutralize malicious SQL syntax.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: First, an attacker identifies an application input vector that relies on the Apache Portable Runtime Utility and its apr_dbd_oracle backend for database queries. Second, the attacker crafts a malicious payload containing SQL command control characters, such as single quotes, union operators, or comment delimiters. Third, the application passes this unneutralized input directly to the vulnerable apr_dbd_oracle provider functions. Fourth, the provider concatenates or interpolates the malicious input directly into the dynamic SQL statement without proper escaping. Finally, the Oracle database executes the modified query, returning unintended result sets, disclosing sensitive database contents, or executing unauthorized database commands.\nDepending on the architecture of the host application, exploitation may not require authentication if the vulnerable input vector is exposed to unauthenticated network users via web endpoints or API interfaces. Privilege requirements within the database context correspond to the permissions granted to the database user account utilized by the APR-Util connection pool, which frequently possess elevated privileges depending on deployment configurations. Post-exploitation impact includes full database enumeration, data exfiltration, bypassing of authentication mechanisms, and in heavily misconfigured environments, execution of operating system commands via database features."
}