CVE-2026-114621 in BaserCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2026
baserCMS is a website development framework. In versions 5.0.0 before 5.3.2 and 5.4.0 before 5.4.2, list and detail actions in the Admin and Api/Admin prefixes pass request query parameters, including contain, conditions, fields, finder, and order, directly to the ORM as options. A user able to log into the admin panel can embed SQL fragments in those options to execute arbitrary SQL against the application's database, including reading password hashes from the users table. Public-page and public-API fixes released in 5.3.1 and 5.4.1 did not protect these administrative paths. Setting USE_CORE_ADMIN_API to false does not prevent access through an authenticated browser session. This issue has been patched in versions 5.3.2 and 5.4.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2026
baserCMS is a widely used website development framework built on the CakePHP ecosystem, which provides tools for rapid application development. In specific legacy releases, namely version ranges 5.0.0 through 5.3.1 and 5.4.0 through 5.4.1, a critical security flaw exists within the administrative interface components identified by the Admin and Api/Admin routing prefixes. This vulnerability stems from an improper handling of request query parameters that are intended to configure database queries via the Object-Relational Mapping layer. Specifically, options such as contain, conditions, fields, finder, and order are passed directly from user-supplied input into ORM method calls without sufficient sanitization or validation against malicious payloads.
The technical core of this vulnerability lies in the direct injection of SQL fragments through these query parameters. Because the framework allows developers to specify complex database operations via URL arguments for convenience during development, it inadvertently exposes an attack vector when those inputs are not strictly validated. An attacker who has obtained valid credentials for the administrative panel can manipulate these parameters to inject arbitrary Structured Query Language commands. This capability effectively bypasses standard ORM protections that would normally abstract raw SQL execution, allowing the attacker to execute queries with the privileges of the database user configured in the application settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its classification as an authenticated injection flaw. While many high-severity vulnerabilities require unauthenticated access, this specific issue requires a valid administrative session. However, once authentication is achieved, the consequences are extensive. An attacker can read sensitive data from the database, most critically extracting password hashes from the users table. This compromise of credential storage enables further attacks such as offline brute-forcing or credential stuffing against other services if passwords are reused. Additionally, depending on the specific SQL fragments injected and the underlying database engine capabilities, an attacker might potentially escalate privileges to execute operating system commands or modify application data, leading to a complete compromise of the web application's integrity and confidentiality.
It is important to note that previous security updates released in versions 5.3.1 and 5.4.1 addressed similar injection vulnerabilities on public-facing pages and public API endpoints but failed to extend these protections to the administrative paths. This oversight left administrators exposed even after applying earlier patches. Furthermore, configuration settings such as setting USE_CORE_ADMIN_API to false do not mitigate this risk if an attacker can still access the admin panel through a standard authenticated browser session, indicating that the vulnerability is rooted in how query parameters are processed rather than just API endpoint exposure.
To remediate this issue, organizations must upgrade baserCMS immediately to version 5.3.2 or later for the 5.x branch and version 5.4.2 or later for the newer release line. These versions include patches that properly validate and sanitize query parameters before they are passed to the ORM layer, preventing the injection of arbitrary SQL fragments. For environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, strict input validation on all administrative endpoints should be implemented as a compensating control. Additionally, enforcing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts can reduce the risk of credential theft that precedes exploitation of this vulnerability.
From a classification perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The attack vector involves authenticated users manipulating input parameters to alter database queries, fitting the ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for command scripting via injection mechanisms within application logic. Security teams should audit their baserCMS deployments against these version constraints and ensure that all administrative interfaces are updated to prevent unauthorized data access or manipulation through query parameter abuse.