CVE-2026-89076 in MOVEit Transfer
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command ('SQL injection') vulnerability in Progress MOVEit Transfer (Custom Reports module).
This issue affects MOVEit Transfer: before 2025.1.6 and from 2026.0.0 before 2026.0.4.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Custom Reports module of Progress MOVEit Transfer, a widely deployed file transfer solution used by enterprises for secure data exchange. This specific weakness stems from an improper neutralization of special elements that are intended to be treated as literal data rather than executable code within database queries. In typical web application architectures, user-supplied input is often passed directly into SQL statements without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When the Custom Reports module processes requests for generating reports, it constructs dynamic SQL commands based on parameters provided by the authenticated user. If these inputs are not strictly validated against a whitelist of expected characters or properly escaped using prepared statements, an attacker can inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the logic of the underlying database query. This flaw allows for unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the MOVEit Transfer backend databases, potentially exposing confidential files, metadata, and user credentials associated with the organization's file transfer activities.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns directly with CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The root cause lies in the application's failure to distinguish between code and data when constructing database queries. By manipulating input fields that feed into report generation parameters, such as date ranges, file names, or user identifiers, a malicious actor can terminate the intended query string and append additional commands. These injected commands may include UNION SELECT statements to extract arbitrary data from other tables, or more destructive operations like DROP TABLE if the database permissions are overly permissive. The impact is severe because MOVEit Transfer often holds high-value intellectual property and personally identifiable information (PII). Successful exploitation could lead to a complete compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization's stored files. Furthermore, depending on the underlying database engine configuration, certain SQL injection variants might allow for operating system command execution via specific functions like xp_cmdshell in Microsoft SQL Server or LOAD_FILE in MySQL, thereby escalating the breach from data theft to full server control.
In terms of threat modeling and operational impact, this vulnerability is categorized under MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically within the context of database command injection which can serve as a pivot point for lateral movement or persistent access. Attackers leveraging this flaw do not necessarily need to interact with the application's graphical interface in complex ways; simple HTTP requests containing crafted SQL payloads are sufficient. The presence of such vulnerabilities in enterprise file transfer appliances is particularly dangerous because these systems often have direct network connectivity to internal servers and databases, making them high-value targets for ransomware groups and state-sponsored actors seeking initial access or data exfiltration channels. The exploitation window exists across multiple versions of the software, specifically affecting releases prior to version 2025.1.6 in the legacy line and versions from 2026.0.0 up to but not including 2026.0.4 in the newer release cycle. This broad range indicates a systemic issue within the codebase of the Custom Reports module that persisted across significant development cycles, highlighting the importance of rigorous secure coding practices and automated static analysis during software updates.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately apply the vendor-provided patches to bring their MOVEit Transfer instances up to version 2025.1.6 or later for legacy deployments, or version 2026.0.4 and above for newer installations. Until patching is complete, defensive measures should include deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules specifically tuned to detect SQL injection patterns in the parameters associated with report generation endpoints. Network segmentation strategies should also be reviewed to ensure that even if an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, their ability to pivot to other critical systems is restricted by strict firewall policies and least-privilege database account configurations. Database administrators must verify that application service accounts do not possess administrative privileges on the backend database, thereby limiting the potential damage of any successful injection attempts. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing focused on input validation in all user-facing modules, are essential to identify similar flaws before they can be exploited by adversaries.