CVE-2026-3057: pearProjectApi SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-3057 Overview

A SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in a54552239 pearProjectApi versions up to 2.8.10. The vulnerability exists in the dateTotalForProject function within the file application/common/Model/Task.php of the Backend Interface component. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the projectCode argument to inject malicious SQL queries. The attack can be launched remotely by authenticated users, and a public exploit has been released, increasing the risk of active exploitation. The vendor was contacted regarding this disclosure but did not respond.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers with low privileges can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to potentially read, modify, or delete database contents, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the project management application.

Affected Products

• pearProjectApi versions up to and including 2.8.10
• Backend Interface component (application/common/Model/Task.php)
• dateTotalForProject function with unsanitized projectCode parameter

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-24 - CVE-2026-3057 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-3057

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) exists in the pearProjectApi project management application. The flaw specifically affects the dateTotalForProject function located in application/common/Model/Task.php. When processing the projectCode parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands.

The vulnerability requires network access and low-level privileges to exploit. The attack complexity is low, meaning no special conditions or circumstances are required for successful exploitation. While no user interaction is needed, the attacker must have valid credentials to access the backend interface.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation in the dateTotalForProject function. The projectCode parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attackers to escape the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL statements against the underlying database.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, targeting the backend interface of pearProjectApi. An authenticated attacker can send specially crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoint, manipulating the projectCode parameter to include SQL injection payloads.

The vulnerability manifests in the dateTotalForProject function within application/common/Model/Task.php. The function accepts a projectCode parameter that is not properly sanitized before being used in database queries. An attacker can craft malicious input containing SQL syntax to manipulate the query execution, potentially extracting sensitive data, modifying database contents, or escalating privileges within the application. For detailed technical analysis and proof-of-concept information, refer to the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB CVE Analysis.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-3057

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages in application logs indicating injection attempts
• Abnormal database query patterns targeting the dateTotalForProject endpoint
• Requests containing SQL metacharacters (single quotes, double dashes, UNION statements) in the projectCode parameter
• Unexpected database modifications or data exfiltration activity

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in request parameters
• Monitor application logs for error messages related to malformed SQL queries in Task.php
• Deploy database activity monitoring to identify anomalous query patterns
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on SQL injection signature matches

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the Backend Interface component
• Monitor for repeated failed authentication attempts followed by successful exploitation patterns
• Set up alerts for database queries containing UNION, SELECT, or other suspicious SQL keywords in unexpected contexts
• Track access patterns to the dateTotalForProject function for anomalous activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-3057

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the pearProjectApi backend interface to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement input validation for the projectCode parameter at the application layer
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Review and audit database access logs for signs of prior exploitation

Patch Information

No official patch has been released by the vendor. The vendor was contacted regarding this vulnerability disclosure but did not respond. Organizations using pearProjectApi should consider implementing compensating controls or migrating to an actively maintained alternative. For additional information and updates, monitor the VulDB entry and GitHub Issue.

Workarounds

• Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in the dateTotalForProject function
• Add strict input validation to sanitize the projectCode parameter before database queries
• Restrict database user permissions to limit the impact of successful SQL injection attacks
• Consider placing the application behind a reverse proxy with SQL injection filtering capabilities

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL injection attempts
SecRule ARGS:projectCode "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in projectCode parameter',\
    log,\
    auditlog"