CVE-2026-17400 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 parameters that are subsequently concatenated with existing queries without adequate sanitization or parameterized query usage. Unlike unauthenticated attacks which target public-facing endpoints, this vulnerability requires an initial authentication step, meaning the threat actor must first possess valid credentials for the API Connect platform to leverage this flaw effectively.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in how user-supplied data is processed by the backend database engine. When the application constructs SQL queries dynamically using string concatenation rather than prepared statements with parameterized inputs, it fails to distinguish between executable code and data input. An attacker can manipulate these inputs to alter the logic of the underlying SQL query. This manipulation enables the extraction of sensitive information stored within the organization's databases, which may include customer records, internal configuration details, API keys, or other proprietary business intelligence. The ability to execute arbitrary read operations on the database schema and data tables constitutes a severe breach of confidentiality integrity principles defined in standard security frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on IBM API Connect as their central gateway for managing microservices and APIs. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, potentially resulting in regulatory non-compliance with standards such as GDPR or HIPAA if personal health information or personally identifiable information is exposed. Furthermore, the exposure of internal system configurations might facilitate further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can use the extracted database structure and content to craft more sophisticated attacks against downstream services that trust the API gateway's authentication mechanisms, thereby undermining the entire security perimeter established by the organization.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. In terms of offensive cyber operations and threat modeling, this flaw maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically sub-techniques related to command scripting or database query injection, allowing adversaries to interact with backend systems directly through the application interface rather than exploiting network-level vulnerabilities. The requirement for authentication places this within the context of privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker leverages low-level access to gain high-value data insights that were not intended for their role.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately apply the latest security patches provided by IBM for the affected versions of API Connect. It is crucial to verify that all instances running version 10.0.8.x up to 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.x up to 12.1.1.2 are updated to a patched release where this code path has been remediated. In addition to patching, security teams should review application input validation practices across the platform to ensure that all database interactions utilize parameterized queries or stored procedures exclusively. Implementing Web Application Firewalls with SQL injection detection rules can provide an additional layer of defense by blocking malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable code paths. Regular penetration testing and static application security testing are recommended to identify similar coding flaws in custom integrations built on top of the API Connect platform, ensuring a robust posture against database-driven attacks.