CVE-2026-71276 in Magistrala
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2026
Magistrala (formerly Mainflux)'s message-readers API reads a `format` value from the HTTP query string (readers/api/http/transport.go) with no validation and interpolates it directly into raw SQL queries via fmt.Sprintf() in both the PostgreSQL reader (readers/postgres/messages.go: `fmt.Sprintf("SELECT * FROM %s WHERE %s ...", format, cond)`) and the TimescaleDB reader (readers/timescale/messages.go, same pattern), enabling SQL injection by any authenticated user able to query channel messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Magistrala platform formerly known as Mainflux where the message-readers API component fails to properly validate user input from HTTP query parameters. The system extracts a format value directly from the query string without any sanitization or validation checks before incorporating it into database queries through unsafe string interpolation techniques. This flaw resides in the core data access layer where the format parameter is passed to fmt.Sprintf() functions that construct SQL statements for both PostgreSQL and TimescaleDB backends, creating a path for authenticated users to inject malicious SQL code into the system's database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack vector through improper input validation and sanitization. The vulnerable code pattern appears in two database reader implementations within the same codebase showing a systemic issue in how dynamic table names or query components are handled. When an authenticated user submits a request containing malicious format parameter values in the HTTP query string, these unvalidated inputs are directly interpolated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially extract sensitive information, modify data, or even execute administrative commands depending on the underlying database privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches as it provides authenticated attackers with significant control over the platform's data access layer. Any user with valid authentication credentials can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data corruption, or privilege escalation within the system. The vulnerability affects both PostgreSQL and TimescaleDB implementations simultaneously, indicating a widespread code pattern issue that could compromise database integrity across different storage backends. This represents a critical security risk for IoT platforms where message handling and data integrity are paramount for system reliability and user trust.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all external inputs before database query construction. The recommended approach involves using parameterized queries or prepared statements instead of string interpolation, along with whitelisting mechanisms that restrict acceptable values for the format parameter to predefined safe options. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual database query patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar patterns throughout their codebase and establish secure coding guidelines that prevent such issues from recurring in future development cycles. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 SQL injection and ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though the primary concern here is database-level injection rather than network protocol manipulation.
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation practices and improper handling of dynamic SQL construction within the platform's backend services. The lack of proper sanitization checks creates a direct path for malicious input to be interpreted as executable code by the database engine, fundamentally undermining the security boundaries established by authentication mechanisms. This pattern represents a common oversight in web application development where developers assume that validation is only necessary at the API boundary rather than at every point where external data enters the system's processing pipeline. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in input handling can create significant security risks that affect core system functionality and data integrity across multiple database implementations within a single platform architecture.