CVE-2026-41462 Overview
CVE-2026-41462 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in ProjeQtor versions 7.0 through 12.4.3. The flaw exists in the login functionality, where the login variable is concatenated directly into a SQL query without parameterization or input sanitization. Attackers can submit crafted payloads through the username field at the authentication endpoint to manipulate the underlying query. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to create privileged accounts, read sensitive database contents, and execute operating system commands when the database service account holds elevated permissions. The weakness is classified under CWE-89.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the login form to compromise data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and may achieve operating system command execution.
Affected Products
- ProjeQtor 7.0 through 12.4.3
- ProjeQtor instances exposed to untrusted networks
- Deployments where the database account has elevated or xp_cmdshell-equivalent privileges
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-27 - CVE CVE-2026-41462 published to NVD
- 2026-04-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-41462
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the authentication endpoint of ProjeQtor, an open-source project management application. The application accepts the login parameter from the HTTP request and inserts it directly into a SQL statement used for credential lookup. Because no prepared statement, parameter binding, or escaping is applied, attacker-controlled input alters the parsed query structure. An adversary can append boolean conditions, union-based selectors, or stacked statements to influence query results and side effects.
The attack requires no prior authentication, no user interaction, and is reachable over the network. Beyond data theft, an attacker can issue INSERT or UPDATE statements that provision new administrator accounts within the ProjeQtor user table, granting persistent application-level control. If the database user account holds operating system privileges, attackers can pivot from SQL execution to command execution on the database host, expanding impact to the underlying server.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The login handler builds the authentication query through string concatenation with the user-supplied login value. The application does not enforce a strict allowlist, does not bind parameters, and does not validate that the input matches an expected username pattern before executing the query.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated attacker sends an HTTP POST request to the ProjeQtor login endpoint with a malicious payload in the username field. The payload terminates the original string literal and appends attacker-controlled SQL syntax. Depending on the database engine, the attacker can stack statements, use UNION SELECT to exfiltrate arbitrary tables, or invoke system stored procedures. For full technical details, see the VulnCheck Projeqtor SQL Injection Advisory and the Damiri CVE-2026-41462 Details.
No verified public exploit code is referenced in the available advisories. The vulnerability mechanism is unauthenticated string concatenation of the login parameter into the authentication query, which permits arbitrary SQL clause injection.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-41462
Indicators of Compromise
- Authentication requests containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, comment sequences (--, /*), or keywords like UNION, SELECT, INSERT, or xp_cmdshell in the login field.
- Unexpected creation of new administrative accounts in the ProjeQtor user table without a corresponding administrator session.
- Database error responses returned to the client during login attempts, indicating malformed injected payloads.
- Outbound connections or process executions originating from the database service account host shortly after anomalous login traffic.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and application logs for POST requests to the login endpoint containing SQL syntax in the login parameter.
- Enable database audit logging and alert on stacked queries, schema modifications, or privilege grants originating from the ProjeQtor application account.
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) signature for SQL injection patterns targeting the ProjeQtor authentication path.
- Compare the ProjeQtor user table against a known-good baseline to identify unauthorized account additions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web, application, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform to correlate login anomalies with database activity.
- Alert on repeated failed login attempts paired with abnormally long or syntactically unusual username values.
- Monitor the database host for child processes spawned by the database engine, which can indicate SQL-to-OS command pivoting.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-41462
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade ProjeQtor to a version later than 12.4.3 once a vendor-supplied fix is published on the ProjeQtor official site.
- Restrict access to the ProjeQtor login endpoint to trusted networks or behind a VPN until patching is complete.
- Rotate all ProjeQtor user credentials and audit the user table for unauthorized administrator accounts.
- Reduce the privileges of the database service account so it cannot execute operating system commands or modify schema objects beyond what the application requires.
Patch Information
ProjeQtor versions 7.0 through 12.4.3 are affected. Administrators should consult the VulnCheck Projeqtor SQL Injection Advisory and the ProjeQtor official site for the fixed release version and upgrade instructions.
Workarounds
- Place ProjeQtor behind a web application firewall with SQL injection rules enabled for the login path.
- Apply network access control lists to limit login endpoint exposure to authenticated VPN users.
- Configure the database account used by ProjeQtor with least-privilege permissions, removing access to system stored procedures and the file system.
# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQL metacharacters in the login field
SecRule ARGS:login "@rx (?i)(\bunion\b|\bselect\b|--|/\*|;|xp_cmdshell)" \
"id:1041462,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'CVE-2026-41462 ProjeQtor SQLi attempt'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
