CVE-2026-71298 in Maestro
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
A flaw was found in maestro. A remote attacker could exploit a SQL injection vulnerability in the `orderBy` query parameter of its REST API list endpoints. This flaw, which does not require authentication, allows for read-only blind extraction of data from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The identified security defect resides within the Maestro application framework, specifically targeting the handling of input parameters in its Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface. The vulnerability is classified as a SQL injection flaw located in the orderBy query parameter utilized by list endpoints. This specific component is responsible for determining the sorting order of data returned to clients requesting lists of resources. Because this functionality is exposed via standard HTTP requests, it presents an attack surface that is accessible over the network without requiring any prior authentication or session establishment. The absence of mandatory access controls means that unauthenticated remote actors can interact with this endpoint directly, initiating malicious payloads against the underlying database management system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied input before it is concatenated into SQL commands. When a client specifies an orderBy parameter, the application constructs a dynamic query to sort results accordingly. In vulnerable implementations, special characters such as single quotes or logical operators are not properly escaped or validated against expected data types like integers or predefined string literals. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary Structured Query Language syntax into the execution context of the database engine. The specific exploitation vector described is a blind SQL injection technique. Unlike error-based injections that reveal details through explicit database errors, blind injection relies on observing differences in application behavior, such as response times or boolean logic outcomes, to infer data content bit by character.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on unauthorized read-only access to the backend database contents. Although the attacker cannot modify, delete, or create records due to the limitations inherent in blind extraction techniques and potential permission constraints, the ability to exfiltrate existing data poses a severe risk to confidentiality. Sensitive information such as user credentials, personal identifiable information, proprietary business logic, or configuration secrets could be extracted systematically. The lack of authentication requirements amplifies this threat by allowing any internet-connected entity to attempt exploitation without needing valid login credentials, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful compromise through automated scanning tools and widespread exposure.
To mitigate this risk, developers must implement strict input validation for all query parameters used in database operations. Specifically, the orderBy parameter should be validated against a whitelist of allowed sorting fields rather than accepting arbitrary strings. If dynamic ordering is required, it should be mapped to predefined internal column names using an allowlist approach. Additionally, employing parameterized queries or prepared statements ensures that user input is treated strictly as data and never as executable code, effectively neutralizing injection attempts regardless of the content provided. From a defense-in-depth perspective, deploying a Web Application Firewall can provide an additional layer of protection by detecting and blocking known SQL injection patterns in HTTP traffic before they reach the application logic. Regular security assessments and static analysis tools should also be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify similar input handling flaws across other endpoints within the Maestro framework. This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, and corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically subtechnique 004 for command scripting or database commands via injection vectors.