CVE-2026-1552 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SEMCMS 5.0, a content management system. This vulnerability affects the file /SEMCMS_Info.php where improper handling of the searchml parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by authenticated users to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low privileges can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to compromise database integrity, extract sensitive information, or modify data within the SEMCMS application.
Affected Products
- SEMCMS 5.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-29 - CVE CVE-2026-1552 published to NVD
- 2026-01-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-1552
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability exists in the /SEMCMS_Info.php file of SEMCMS 5.0. The searchml parameter accepts user input that is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that modifies the intended SQL query structure.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), which encompasses injection flaws where untrusted data is sent to an interpreter as part of a command or query. In this case, user-controlled input reaches the database layer without adequate filtering, enabling SQL injection attacks.
The attack can be carried out remotely over the network, requiring only low-level authentication. No user interaction is needed for exploitation. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of active exploitation in the wild.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the searchml parameter handling within /SEMCMS_Info.php. The application fails to use parameterized queries or prepared statements, allowing user-supplied data to be directly concatenated into SQL queries. This fundamental coding flaw enables attackers to escape the intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL commands.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, requiring an authenticated attacker with low privileges to send a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint. The attacker manipulates the searchml parameter with SQL injection payloads designed to alter query logic.
Exploitation typically involves:
- Identifying the vulnerable parameter through reconnaissance
- Crafting SQL injection payloads to test for vulnerability
- Extracting database schema information through error-based or blind SQL injection techniques
- Escalating to data exfiltration, modification, or administrative access
The vendor was contacted about this vulnerability but did not respond to the disclosure. Technical details are available in the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB #343248.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-1552
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed requests to /SEMCMS_Info.php containing SQL syntax in the searchml parameter
- Database error messages in application logs indicating SQL syntax errors or injection attempts
- Unexpected database queries or access patterns originating from web application processes
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting /SEMCMS_Info.php
- Implement application-level logging to capture all requests to the vulnerable endpoint with parameter values
- Configure database activity monitoring to alert on anomalous query patterns or unauthorized data access
- Use intrusion detection signatures to identify common SQL injection payloads in network traffic
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor web server access logs for requests to /SEMCMS_Info.php with suspicious searchml parameter values
- Enable database audit logging to track query execution and identify injection attempts
- Set up alerts for database error spikes that may indicate active exploitation attempts
- Review authentication logs for accounts associated with suspicious activity on the vulnerable endpoint
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-1552
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to /SEMCMS_Info.php through web server configuration until a patch is available
- Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the searchml parameter
- Review and monitor database access for signs of compromise
- Consider temporarily disabling the affected functionality if business impact is acceptable
Patch Information
No official patch has been released by the vendor at this time. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond. Organizations should monitor for vendor updates and consider implementing compensating controls until a fix is available.
For additional technical details and updates, refer to VulDB CTI Issue #343248 and the VulDB Submission #740549.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation at the application or web server level to filter SQL injection patterns from the searchml parameter
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall configured to block common SQL injection payloads
- Restrict network access to SEMCMS to trusted IP addresses only
- Apply database least-privilege principles to limit the impact of successful exploitation
# Example Apache configuration to restrict access to vulnerable endpoint
<Location "/SEMCMS_Info.php">
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
</Location>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
