An issue was discovered in Django 4.2 before 4.2.24, 5.1 before 5.1.12, and 5.2 before 5.2.6. FilteredRelation is subject to SQL injection in column aliases, using a suitably crafted dictionary, with dictionary expansion, as the **kwargs passed QuerySet.annotate() or QuerySet.alias(). This vulnerability allows for unauthorized access and potential data manipulation through crafted SQL queries.
The severity level of this vulnerability is high, with a CVSS score of 7.1. This indicates significant risk to organizations, particularly those utilizing affected versions of Django in their applications. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary SQL commands, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data. Hence, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, this vulnerability has a known exploit, which escalates the urgency for remediation. Organizations using affected versions of Django are at risk and should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle.
The urgency for organizations to remediate this vulnerability cannot be overstated as it presents a direct attack vector through network interactions with low user interaction required. Additional steps to mitigate risks should be considered while awaiting official patches.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows SQL injection through the FilteredRelation feature in Django, affecting versions before 4.2.24, 5.1.12, and 5.2.6. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. The attack vector is network-based, with a high attack complexity, requiring low privileges.
The CVSS score of 7.1 indicates high severity due to potential high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and no availability impact. Organizations should be aware of the publication date of this vulnerability on September 3, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the way Django processes SQL queries with **kwargs in the QuerySet.annotate() or QuerySet.alias() methods. Specifically, it allows attackers to inject SQL commands through crafted dictionaries that influence column aliases.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this issue remotely without physical access to the system. The attack complexity is high, as it requires specific knowledge of the application and its database schema. Privileges required for exploitation are low, as it can be executed without authenticated access, and no user interaction is needed.
In terms of impact, the confidentiality of data may be compromised, allowing unauthorized data exposure. Integrity is affected at a lower level, where incorrect data might be written to the database, but availability remains unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and the ability to manipulate database entries. Given the widespread use of Django in web applications, the blast radius of this vulnerability is significant. Organizations using affected versions should assess their exposure and the potential impact on their operations.
With a CVSS score of 7.1, this vulnerability poses a high threat level, necessitating immediate action. Organizations should prioritize patching in their security update cycles.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Django are 4.2 before 4.2.24, 5.1 before 5.1.12, and 5.2 before 5.2.6. Organizations using these versions should upgrade to the latest patched releases to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should promptly upgrade to Django versions 4.2.24, 5.1.12, or 5.2.6 to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, it is critical to restrict access to applications using affected versions and implement additional input validation measures.
For continuous validation of security measures, organizations may consider continuous penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual SQL query patterns or any attempts to access data via unauthorized SQL commands. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal application usage should be flagged for investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this SQL injection vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust input validation mechanisms in web applications. Security teams should take this incident as a reminder to regularly audit their code for similar vulnerabilities.
As a strategic takeaway, adopting a proactive security posture through regular security assessments and utilizing resources like penetration testing methodology can significantly reduce the risk of such vulnerabilities being exploited.
Furthermore, understanding the patterns of vulnerabilities can help organizations strengthen their defenses against future threats. It is essential to remain vigilant and responsive to emerging security challenges.
For further insights on security best practices, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program design, AI security services, and API security best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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