Cacti up to 1.3.0-dev lib/functions.php sanitize_sql_column sort_column sql injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Cacti up to 1.3.0-dev. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function sanitize_sql_column of the file lib/functions.php. This manipulation of the argument sort_column causes sql injection. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-71287. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Cacti up to 1.3.0-dev. Affected by this vulnerability is the function sanitize_sql_column of the file lib/functions.php. The manipulation of the argument sort_column with an unknown input leads to a sql injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-89. The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Cacti's sanitize_sql_column() (lib/functions.php) sanitizes user-supplied ORDER BY column names using the regex `preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9_().]/', '', $column)`. Because this allowlist retains letters, digits, underscore, parentheses, and dot (intended to support expressions like COUNT(id) and table.column), a payload such as `SLEEP(5)` passes through completely unmodified. The sanitized value is concatenated directly into raw SQL ORDER BY clauses (which cannot be parameterized) driven by a `sort_column` GET parameter in at least user_log.php, utilities.php, user_domains.php, and user_group_admin.php, allowing any authenticated Cacti user, regardless of privilege level, to perform time-based blind SQL injection against the Cacti database.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-71287 since 08/05/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/05/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1505 for this issue.

By approaching the search of inurl:lib/functions.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Log Management Software

Name

• Cacti

Version

• 1.3.0-dev

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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