CVE-2026-15081 Overview
CVE-2026-15081 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Drupal Location Selector contributed module. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements passed to SQL statements [CWE-89]. Attackers can inject crafted SQL syntax through unsanitized input handled by the module, altering the intent of backend database queries.
The vulnerability affects Location Selector versions 0.0.0 through 1.3.0. Successful exploitation lets unauthenticated network attackers read and modify database contents on affected Drupal sites.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL against the Drupal database, leading to data exposure and integrity loss on sites running the vulnerable module.
Affected Products
- Drupal Location Selector module versions 0.0.0 through 1.3.0
- Drupal sites with the Location Selector module enabled
- Any Drupal deployment consuming user input processed by the module
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-10 - CVE-2026-15081 published to NVD
- 2026-07-13 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-15081
Vulnerability Analysis
The Location Selector module fails to correctly neutralize special characters in input used to construct SQL queries. Attacker-controlled data reaches the query builder without parameterization or adequate sanitization. As a result, injected SQL fragments become part of the executed statement.
The issue is classified under [CWE-89], Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. The exploit path is reachable over the network without authentication, though it carries higher attack complexity, likely due to conditions such as specific module configuration or input format requirements. Impact on confidentiality and integrity is high, while availability is not directly affected.
EPSS scores this issue at 0.257% with a percentile of 17.24 as of 2026-07-20, indicating low near-term exploitation probability. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been observed.
Root Cause
The root cause is the direct inclusion of user-supplied values in SQL statements built by the Location Selector module. Drupal's database abstraction layer supports parameterized queries and placeholder binding, but the vulnerable code paths bypass these safe patterns. Special characters such as single quotes and SQL keywords are not escaped, allowing statement structure manipulation.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated remote attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to endpoints backed by the Location Selector module. The malicious payload embeds SQL metacharacters and clauses that alter the query executed by Drupal. Depending on the vulnerable query, an attacker can extract records via UNION-based injection, exfiltrate data through boolean or time-based blind techniques, or modify existing rows.
Refer to the Drupal Security Advisory for technical specifics on the affected code paths and payload constraints.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-15081
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or BENCHMARK( in parameters routed to Location Selector endpoints
- Anomalous Drupal database query errors referencing syntax faults on module-related tables
- Unexpected outbound queries or large result sets originating from the location_selector module context
- Requests to Location Selector routes from a single source with high parameter entropy or repeated encoding attempts
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL injection patterns targeting Drupal module routes
- Enable Drupal database query logging and correlate errors with source IPs and request URIs
- Inspect HTTP request bodies and query strings for encoded SQL syntax reaching Location Selector handlers
- Baseline normal query volume for the module and alert on statistical deviations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Apache, Nginx, and PHP-FPM logs to a centralized platform for query-time analysis
- Monitor the Drupal watchdog log for database exceptions tied to the module
- Track authentication and session activity following any suspected injection attempt to identify follow-on access
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-15081
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Location Selector module to a version later than 1.3.0 once released by the maintainers per the Drupal Security Advisory
- Disable and uninstall the Location Selector module on sites that do not require its functionality until a fixed release is applied
- Review web server and database logs for prior exploitation attempts against module endpoints
- Rotate database credentials and Drupal admin sessions if evidence of exploitation is found
Patch Information
Refer to the Drupal Security Advisory SA-CONTRIB-2026-072 for the fixed module version and upgrade instructions. Apply the vendor-provided release through the standard Drupal module update workflow.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to Location Selector routes to authenticated, trusted users via Drupal permissions or reverse-proxy access control lists
- Deploy WAF signatures that block SQL metacharacters on requests to module endpoints
- Enforce least privilege on the Drupal database account so injected statements cannot alter schema or read unrelated tables
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
