CVE-2026-17396 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2026
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM API Connect versions ranging from 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, commonly known as SQL injection. This specific weakness allows a remote authenticated attacker to exploit the application's database interaction layer by injecting malicious SQL statements into input fields or query parameters that are not adequately sanitized before being processed by the backend database engine. Unlike unauthenticated attacks which target public-facing endpoints without credentials, this vulnerability requires the attacker to first establish valid authentication within the API Connect environment, indicating a failure in strict access control and input validation mechanisms for authenticated sessions.
From a technical perspective, the flaw likely resides in how user-supplied data is concatenated or interpolated into SQL queries executed by the application's backend services. When an authenticated user submits specific inputs containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment sequences, the application fails to properly escape these characters or utilize parameterized queries effectively. This oversight enables the attacker to alter the logic of the original database query, potentially bypassing intended security checks and executing arbitrary commands against the underlying relational database management system. The impact is particularly severe because it grants the attacker direct access to the data layer, which often contains sensitive configuration details, API keys, user credentials, and other proprietary information critical to the organization's operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration. An attacker with authenticated access can leverage SQL injection techniques such as UNION-based attacks or blind boolean-based injections to extract specific rows from database tables that are not intended for public consumption. This could lead to a comprehensive compromise of confidentiality, allowing the disclosure of sensitive information including customer personal identifiable information, internal API configurations, and potentially administrative credentials stored within the system's databases. Furthermore, depending on the privileges granted to the database user account running the application, there is a risk that an attacker might escalate their access further, although the primary concern in this context remains the unauthorized retrieval of sensitive data due to the lack of robust input validation for authenticated users.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Data from Information Repositories and potentially T1059 if the injection allows for command execution through database extensions like xp_cmdshell on Microsoft SQL Server environments, although the primary classification here is data exfiltration via SQLi. The requirement for authentication highlights a gap in the principle of least privilege or insufficient validation even after identity verification has occurred, suggesting that security controls were not uniformly applied across all authenticated endpoints and API operations within IBM API Connect.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running affected versions must immediately apply the latest patches provided by IBM to update their instances to a version where these input validation flaws have been resolved. In addition to patching, administrators should implement strict web application firewall rules that detect and block common SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests directed at API Connect endpoints. It is also advisable to review database access permissions for the service account used by API Connect, ensuring it operates with minimal privileges necessary for its function, thereby limiting the potential damage if an injection attempt succeeds. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on authenticated user flows can help identify similar vulnerabilities in custom integrations or extensions built upon the platform.