CVE-2021-40961Public exploitNetwork attack vector

SQL injection via insufficient sort parameter filtering

Published Jun 9, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

SQL injection in the News module of CMS Made Simple 2.2.15 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL via sort ordering. The admin article-list handler replaces apostrophes in the sortby parameter, then concatenates the result into query1 without blocking other SQL syntax. Access to the News administration interface is required; a crafted sort expression can read or modify database data and delay queries.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.76%
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 the News module of CMS Made Simple 2.2.15 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL via sort ordering. The admin article-list handler replaces apostrophes in the sortby parameter, then concatenates the result into query1 without blocking other SQL syntax. Access to the News administration interface is required; a crafted sort expression can read or modify database data and delay queries.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-40961
Published
Jun 9, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 9, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record 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

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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.

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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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