CVE-2026-78623 in Access Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
The Okta Access Gateway does not sanitize SAML assertion values before interpolating them into database queries in the advanced mode datastore configuration. The unsanitized values are substituted directly into the query string prior to preparation, resulting in unintended SQL execution against the configured backend database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical injection flaw within the Okta Access Gateway application, specifically affecting its advanced mode datastore configuration mechanism. The core technical deficiency lies in the failure of the software to properly sanitize or validate SAML assertion values before they are utilized as inputs for constructing SQL queries against the backend database. In secure software development practices, any data originating from external sources, particularly authentication assertions which can be manipulated by attackers during the Single Sign-On process, must undergo rigorous validation and parameterization before being incorporated into dynamic query strings. The observed behavior indicates that these SAML values are interpolated directly into the SQL command structure prior to the application of prepared statements or other protective measures designed to separate code from data. This architectural oversight allows an attacker who can influence the content of a SAML assertion, typically through malicious identity provider configurations or crafted authentication requests, to inject arbitrary SQL commands that will be executed by the database engine with the privileges of the Okta Access Gateway service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on Okta Access Gateway for centralized access management. Because the unsanitized input leads directly to unintended SQL execution, an attacker can achieve a wide range of malicious outcomes depending on the capabilities granted to the database user by the backend system configuration. These outcomes include unauthorized reading of sensitive corporate data stored in the gateway's local or remote databases, such as user credentials, session tokens, and internal network topology information. Furthermore, if the underlying database supports stacked queries or specific administrative functions, an attacker could potentially modify existing records, delete critical configuration entries to cause denial of service, or even execute operating system commands through database-specific features like xp_cmdshell in Microsoft SQL Server or similar extensions in other relational databases. This effectively compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire identity infrastructure managed by the gateway.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The specific vector involves the use of SAML assertions, which are XML-based security tokens, making it relevant to CWE-613 Insufficient Session Expiration and potentially CWE-20 Improper Input Validation if the root cause is traced back to a lack of strict schema validation on incoming assertion data. In terms of offensive cybersecurity frameworks, this flaw facilitates techniques categorized under ATT&CK ID T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it leverages a vulnerability in an application exposed to network traffic for authentication purposes. It also touches upon T1556 Modifying Authentication Process since the attack vector is embedded within the SAML assertion used during the login flow, allowing the attacker to subvert normal access controls by manipulating the backend data store directly rather than bypassing the application logic itself.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary and most effective mitigation is for organizations using Okta Access Gateway in advanced mode datastore configurations to apply any available patches or updates provided by Okta that enforce proper parameterization of SQL queries involving SAML assertion data. Until such a patch is applied, administrators should consider disabling the specific feature set if it is not strictly necessary, thereby removing the attack surface entirely. Additionally, implementing strict input validation on all incoming SAML assertions at the gateway level can help filter out malformed or suspiciously structured tokens before they reach the database layer. Network-level controls such as Web Application Firewalls may also provide a secondary line of defense by detecting and blocking SQL injection patterns within HTTP traffic carrying SAML responses, although this is not a substitute for fixing the underlying code defect. Regular security audits focusing on how external inputs are handled in dynamic query construction should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during future development cycles.