Description

Editor SQL Injection in Amelia <= 2.4.9 versions.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.6",
  "pubDate": "2026-09-11T19:17:44.113Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-09-11T19:17:44.113Z",
  "executiveSummary": "Amelia versions 2.4.9 and below are susceptible to a SQL injection vulnerability that allows authenticated users with Editor-level privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.\nThe vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied input before it is incorporated into database queries.\nAn attacker can exploit this flaw to bypass security controls, perform unauthorized data exfiltration, modify database content, or, depending on the database configuration and permissions, achieve remote code execution.\nThe risk is categorized as high, as it enables an authenticated attacker to compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the application's data layer.\nSuccessful exploitation requires the attacker to hold an account with at least Editor-level permissions, limiting the attack surface to malicious or compromised internal users.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw located within the Amelia plugin's input handling mechanisms used by users with the Editor role.\nThe root cause is the failure to utilize parameterized queries or adequate input escaping when processing requests. Consequently, malicious SQL syntax injected into vulnerable parameters is interpreted as executable code by the database management system (DBMS) rather than treated as passive data.\nThe attack flow begins with an authenticated Editor user crafting a malicious HTTP request that targets a parameter processed by the vulnerable component. By injecting SQL meta-characters, such as single quotes, semicolons, or comments, the attacker can manipulate the structure of the backend query.\nFor example, an attacker can append a UNION-based SQL injection to extract sensitive information from tables, such as user credentials, configuration data, or other proprietary application information, by appending query segments like 'UNION SELECT NULL, username, password FROM users--'.\nAlternatively, time-based blind SQL injection techniques can be employed to infer data bit-by-bit by observing the database response time, allowing for data extraction even if query results are not directly returned in the HTTP response.\nThis vulnerability is particularly severe because the application context often runs with database credentials that have broad permissions. An attacker who successfully exploits this can manipulate, delete, or exfiltrate any record within the database. Furthermore, if the database configuration permits, features such as 'INTO OUTFILE' could potentially be leveraged to write files to the web server, which may facilitate a transition from database compromise to remote code execution.\nAffected versions include Amelia 2.4.9 and all previous versions. The vulnerability requires authentication, but because the requirement is an Editor-level account, the threat model must account for the possibility of malicious insiders or compromised editorial accounts."
}