CVE-2021-4261Network attack vector

Database query manipulation via concatenated high-score fields

Published Dec 19, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025

SQL injection in Platzh1rsch Pacman Canvas 1.0.0 through 1.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to manipulate database queries. The addHighscore function in data/db-handler.php directly concatenates submitted name, score, level, and request metadata into an INSERT statement instead of binding parameters. Low-privileged access to the high-score submission path is required, and successful injection can read or alter records reachable by the database connection.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.60%
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 Platzh1rsch Pacman Canvas 1.0.0 through 1.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to manipulate database queries. The addHighscore function in data/db-handler.php directly concatenates submitted name, score, level, and request metadata into an INSERT statement instead of binding parameters. Low-privileged access to the high-score submission path is required, and successful injection can read or alter records reachable by the database connection.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-4261
Published
Dec 19, 2022
Updated
Apr 15, 2025
Vendor
Platzh1rsch
Product
Pacman Canvas
Classifications
CWE-707, CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 19, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 15, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1.0.0
  2. Affected versionversion=1.0.1
  3. Affected versionversion=1.0.2
  4. Affected versionversion=1.0.3
  5. Affected versionversion=1.0.4
  6. Affected versionversion=1.0.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Platzh1rsch · Pacman Canvasversion=1.0.0; version=1.0.1; version=1.0.2; version=1.0.3; version=1.0.4; version=1.0.5

Published CVSS scores

6.3VulDBCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-707Improper Neutralization
CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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