CVE-2021-28999Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated SQL injection via concatenated sort parameter

Published May 8, 2023 · Updated Jan 29, 2025

SQL injection in CMS Made Simple 2.2.15 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL via m1_sortby. The News module's function.admin_articlestab.php replaces apostrophes in sortby but concatenates the remaining value into a query, permitting quote-free SQL expressions. The demonstrated payload causes a time-based response delay, and authentication to moduleinterface.php is required before the parameter is reachable.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

SQL injection in CMS Made Simple 2.2.15 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL via m1_sortby. The News module's function.admin_articlestab.php replaces apostrophes in sortby but concatenates the remaining value into a query, permitting quote-free SQL expressions. The demonstrated payload causes a time-based response delay, and authentication to moduleinterface.php is required before the parameter is reachable.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28999
Published
May 8, 2023
Updated
Jan 29, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 8, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 29, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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