CVE-2021-47763: Aimeos 2021.10 LTS SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2021-47763 Overview

CVE-2021-47763 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Aimeos 2021.10 LTS, a popular open-source e-commerce platform. The vulnerability exists in the JSON API's sort parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending crafted GET requests to the /jsonapi/review endpoint, manipulating the sort parameter to inject malicious SQL commands that can reveal sensitive database schema information including table and column names.

Critical Impact

This SQL injection vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to extract sensitive database information, potentially leading to full database compromise and unauthorized access to customer data in affected e-commerce installations.

Affected Products

• Aimeos 2021.10 LTS
• Aimeos Laravel e-commerce package (versions using vulnerable JSON API)
• Aimeos-based e-commerce platforms with exposed JSON API endpoints

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-15 - CVE CVE-2021-47763 published to NVD
• 2026-01-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2021-47763

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (SQL Injection), one of the most critical web application security flaws. The Aimeos JSON API implementation fails to properly validate and sanitize the sort parameter when processing review-related queries. This oversight allows attackers to manipulate database queries through the network-accessible API endpoint without requiring any authentication or privileges.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exposes database structure information, which attackers can leverage to craft more sophisticated attacks. By enumerating table and column names, an attacker can map the database schema and subsequently extract sensitive data such as customer credentials, payment information, and order details.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the JSON API request handler. The sort parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or sanitization. When the API processes sort requests, it constructs database queries using user-supplied input, creating an injection point that attackers can exploit.

The absence of prepared statements or parameterized queries in this code path allows malicious SQL fragments to be interpreted as executable commands rather than literal string values.

Attack Vector

The attack is carried out via network requests to the vulnerable JSON API endpoint. An attacker can craft malicious GET requests targeting the /jsonapi/review endpoint with a specially constructed sort parameter. By manipulating this parameter with SQL injection payloads, the attacker can:

1. Enumerate database table names through error-based or blind SQL injection techniques
2. Extract column names from targeted tables
3. Retrieve sensitive data from the database
4. Potentially escalate to more damaging attacks depending on database permissions

The attack requires no authentication, making any publicly accessible Aimeos installation with the JSON API enabled a potential target. Technical exploitation details are available through the Exploit-DB #50538 reference.

Detection Methods for CVE-2021-47763

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual GET requests to /jsonapi/review endpoints containing SQL syntax in the sort parameter
• Web server logs showing requests with characters like single quotes ('), double dashes (--), UNION SELECT, or ORDER BY in query parameters
• Database error messages appearing in API responses indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries targeting system tables or schema information

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in the sort parameter
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on requests containing common SQL injection keywords targeting the JSON API
• Enable detailed logging for all JSON API endpoints and monitor for anomalous request patterns
• Deploy application-level security monitoring to detect unauthorized database schema enumeration attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to /jsonapi/review with suspicious query string parameters
• Set up alerts for database errors or exceptions originating from the JSON API code paths
• Track and analyze failed API requests that may indicate reconnaissance or exploitation attempts
• Implement rate limiting on JSON API endpoints to slow down automated exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2021-47763

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Aimeos to the latest patched version that addresses this SQL injection vulnerability
• Review and restrict access to JSON API endpoints using network-level controls or authentication requirements
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Audit database permissions to ensure the application uses least-privilege access

Patch Information

Organizations running Aimeos 2021.10 LTS should immediately check for available security updates from the vendor. Visit the Aimeos Homepage or the Aimeos Laravel Package page for official patch information and upgrade guidance. Apply all security patches as soon as they become available.

Workarounds

• Disable or restrict access to the /jsonapi/review endpoint if not required for business operations
• Implement input validation at the web server or reverse proxy level to filter malicious sort parameter values
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall configured to block SQL injection attack patterns
• Use network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable e-commerce installations while awaiting patches

# Example Apache .htaccess rule to block suspicious sort parameters
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} sort=.*('|--|UNION|SELECT) [NC]
    RewriteRule ^jsonapi/review - [F,L]
</IfModule>