CVE-2026-35614: Frappe Framework SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-35614 Overview

CVE-2026-35614 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the Frappe full-stack web application framework. The vulnerability exists in the bulk_update function, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through network-accessible endpoints. This flaw enables complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, and potential system takeover.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to read, modify, or delete sensitive data from backend databases, potentially leading to full application compromise.

Affected Products

• Frappe Framework versions prior to 16.14.0
• Frappe Framework versions prior to 15.104.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-07 - CVE CVE-2026-35614 published to NVD
• 2026-04-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-35614

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), commonly known as SQL Injection. The bulk_update function in the Frappe framework fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the backend database.

The vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network. An attacker can craft malicious input that escapes the intended query context and executes arbitrary SQL commands. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of database records, or complete database destruction.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input validation within the bulk_update function. User-controlled data is directly concatenated or interpolated into SQL statements without adequate parameterization or escaping. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject their own SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests to endpoints that utilize the vulnerable bulk_update function. The malicious payload embedded in request parameters is passed directly to the database engine, bypassing application-level security controls.

The exploitation flow typically involves identifying the vulnerable endpoint, crafting SQL injection payloads to extract database schema information, and then escalating to extract sensitive data or modify database contents. Since no authentication is required, any network-accessible Frappe deployment is potentially vulnerable.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the GitHub Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-35614

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries containing SQL keywords in unexpected parameters (e.g., UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, '; DROP TABLE)
• Abnormal HTTP requests targeting Frappe API endpoints with malformed or encoded payloads
• Database logs showing failed queries or syntax errors that indicate injection attempts
• Unexpected data modifications or deletions in application databases

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF) configured with SQL injection detection rules targeting Frappe endpoints
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous queries or unauthorized data access patterns
• Enable detailed application and database logging to capture suspicious request patterns
• Utilize intrusion detection systems with signatures for common SQL injection payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP access logs for requests containing SQL injection patterns or encoded special characters
• Configure alerts for database errors that may indicate injection attempts
• Track changes to critical database tables and schemas for unauthorized modifications
• Implement real-time log analysis to correlate suspicious web requests with database anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-35614

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Frappe Framework to version 16.14.0 or later for the 16.x branch
• Upgrade Frappe Framework to version 15.104.0 or later for the 15.x branch
• Implement network-level access controls to restrict access to Frappe endpoints from untrusted sources
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection as an interim measure

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been addressed in Frappe Framework versions 16.14.0 and 15.104.0. Organizations running vulnerable versions should prioritize upgrading to these patched releases immediately. The security fix implements proper input sanitization and parameterized queries in the bulk_update function.

For complete patch details and upgrade instructions, refer to the GitHub Security Advisory.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to Frappe application endpoints using firewall rules
• Implement a reverse proxy with SQL injection filtering capabilities in front of vulnerable deployments
• Disable or restrict access to bulk operation endpoints if not required for business operations
• Apply database-level access controls to limit the privileges of the application database user

# Example: Upgrade Frappe to patched version
bench update --apps frappe
bench migrate