CVE-2026-1312: Medium Vulnerability in djangoproject Django

An issue was discovered in Django versions 6.0 before 6.0.2, 5.2 before 5.2.11, and 4.2 before 4.2.28. The vulnerability allows for SQL injection in column aliases containing periods when the same alias is used in a suitably crafted dictionary with dictionary expansion in `FilteredRelation`. Earlier unsupported Django series, such as 5.0.x, 4.1.x, and 3.2.x, were not evaluated and may also be affected. Django would like to thank Solomon Kebede for reporting this issue.

The severity level of this vulnerability is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 5.4. This level indicates that while the vulnerability may not be easily exploitable, it poses a significant risk to organizations relying on affected versions of Django. The attack vector is classified as network, which means that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely.

Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive database information. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary SQL queries, leading to data leakage or corruption. Thus, organizations using vulnerable versions should prioritize patching immediately to minimize exposure.

As of now, no public exploit has been confirmed, and this vulnerability has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations must remain vigilant and ensure that their systems are updated to the latest patched versions.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which pertains to SQL injection vulnerabilities. This vulnerability allows for the manipulation of SQL queries through user input, which can result in unauthorized access to database information. The affected product is Django, and the specific versions impacted are 6.0 before 6.0.2, 5.2 before 5.2.11, and 4.2 before 4.2.28.

The publication date for the vulnerability is February 3, 2026, and it has been analyzed and classified as medium severity. Organizations should review their Django installations and ensure they are running patched versions to mitigate this risk.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the handling of SQL queries in Django's `.QuerySet.order_by()` method, which is susceptible to SQL injection due to inadequate input validation. The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to send crafted requests to the application.

The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require specialized knowledge or extensive preparation to exploit the vulnerability. Privileges required are also low; an attacker needs only basic access to the application. No user interaction is required, making it easier for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability.

The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both rated as low, meaning that while sensitive information could be exposed or manipulated, the overall impact on system availability is none.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment risk for this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on Django as a backend framework for web applications. Given the network attack vector and low complexity, the potential for exploitation is high, especially in environments where input validation may be lax.

The urgency assessment is heightened due to the medium CVSS score of 5.4, indicating that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Failure to do so could lead to unauthorized data access and manipulation, impacting the organization's reputation and operational integrity.

Affected Versions

The affected versions of Django include 4.2 before 4.2.28, 5.2 before 5.2.11, and 6.0 before 6.0.2. Organizations should ensure they are using patched versions to mitigate potential risks.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions of Django immediately. Upgrade to Django 4.2.28, 5.2.11, or 6.0.2 or later versions. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures on user inputs.

Additionally, network controls should be put in place to limit access to the application. Regularly monitor application logs for anomalies that could indicate attempted exploitation.

For further assistance, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing services to validate their security posture.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor application logs for SQL error messages that may indicate injection attempts. Additionally, unusual patterns in database queries that do not align with expected behavior should be flagged for further investigation.

Network traffic should also be analyzed for abnormal requests targeting database endpoints. Implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) can help in identifying and blocking malicious requests.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its representation of common weaknesses in web application frameworks. SQL injection vulnerabilities remain a prevalent threat, and the patterns observed in this case serve as a reminder for organizations to prioritize security in their development processes.

Security teams should conduct regular security assessments and ensure that input validation is a core part of their development lifecycle. Lessons learned from this incident emphasize the importance of proactive security measures and timely patch management.

For further insights, organizations can explore our resources on vulnerability management programs and consider our penetration testing methodology to strengthen defenses against similar incidents.

In light of ongoing threats, organizations are encouraged to stay informed through our updates on penetration testing reports and adapt their security strategies accordingly.