CVE-2021-35042 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability affecting Django versions 3.1.x before 3.1.13 and 3.2.x before 3.2.5. This vulnerability allows QuerySet.order_by to be manipulated if untrusted input is passed from a client of a web application.
Given its critical CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using Django. Attackers may leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially exposing sensitive data or compromising application integrity.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The updated versions 3.1.13 and 3.2.5 are available to mitigate this risk.
This vulnerability has been classified under CWE-89, indicating SQL injection risks.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that this vulnerability allows SQL injection via the QuerySet.order_by method when the input is not properly sanitized.
The CVSS score of 9.8 categorizes this vulnerability as critical, highlighting its potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected versions include Django 3.1.x prior to 3.1.13 and 3.2.x prior to 3.2.5, with the vulnerability disclosed on July 2, 2021.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation of the order_by parameter. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries that can manipulate the database.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction and minimal privileges. The attack complexity is low, making it accessible to a broad range of attackers.
Exploitation could lead to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers may extract sensitive information or disrupt application functionality.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and disruption of services. The blast radius can encompass any application using the vulnerable versions of Django.
Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize remediation efforts immediately. The CVSS score reflects a high urgency for addressing this issue.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions are Django 3.1.x before 3.1.13 and 3.2.x before 3.2.5. Organizations running these versions must upgrade to the latest patched releases.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the latest patches available for Django. The versions you should upgrade to are 3.1.13 or 3.2.5. If patching is not immediately feasible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization in your applications.
Furthermore, organizations may enhance security by restricting network access to the application and monitoring for unusual database queries.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation, organizations should monitor logs for anomalies indicating unexpected database queries or patterns indicative of SQL injection attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability underscores the importance of validating user inputs in web applications to prevent SQL injection attacks. Security teams should regularly review and update their security practices to adapt to evolving threats.
For further reading on security best practices and vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program, penetration testing methodology, and API security testing strategies to stay ahead of threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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