CVE-2026-4189 Overview
A SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in phpIPAM up to version 1.7.4. The impacted element is a function within the file app/admin/sections/edit-result.php of the Section Handler component. By manipulating the subnetOrdering argument, an attacker can inject malicious SQL statements. The attack can be launched remotely, and an exploit has been made publicly available. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with high privileges can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability remotely to access, modify, or delete database contents in phpIPAM installations up to version 1.7.4.
Affected Products
- phpIPAM up to version 1.7.4
- phpIPAM Section Handler component
- app/admin/sections/edit-result.php file
Discovery Timeline
- March 16, 2026 - CVE-2026-4189 published to NVD
- March 16, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-4189
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), which encompasses injection flaws including SQL Injection. The vulnerability exists in the Section Handler component of phpIPAM, specifically within the edit-result.php file located in the app/admin/sections/ directory.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the subnetOrdering parameter to inject arbitrary SQL commands. While the attack requires high privileges (administrative access) and can be conducted remotely over the network, it affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and sanitization of the subnetOrdering parameter before it is incorporated into SQL queries. The application fails to properly neutralize special characters or use parameterized queries, allowing user-controlled input to modify the structure and intent of the SQL statement being executed.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and can be executed remotely by authenticated users with administrative privileges. The attacker manipulates the subnetOrdering parameter when interacting with the Section Handler functionality. Since the input is not properly sanitized, malicious SQL code embedded in this parameter is executed directly against the database.
The vulnerability mechanism involves the following flow:
- An authenticated administrator accesses the Section Handler editing functionality
- The subnetOrdering parameter is submitted with malicious SQL payload
- The edit-result.php script processes the parameter without proper sanitization
- The malicious SQL is executed against the phpIPAM database
- Depending on the payload, the attacker can read, modify, or delete database records
For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the VulDB advisory or the associated disclosure documentation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-4189
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL error messages in phpIPAM application logs
- Unexpected database queries containing SQL injection patterns in the subnetOrdering parameter
- Anomalous access patterns to /app/admin/sections/edit-result.php
- Database modification audit logs showing unauthorized changes to section or subnet data
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for SQL injection patterns targeting phpIPAM endpoints
- Implement application-level logging to capture all requests to the Section Handler component
- Deploy database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns
- Configure SentinelOne Singularity to detect and alert on SQL injection attack patterns targeting web applications
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the phpIPAM application for the admin sections module
- Configure network intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on SQL injection signatures
- Implement database query auditing to track all queries executed against the phpIPAM database
- Review access logs regularly for suspicious activity from administrative accounts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-4189
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to phpIPAM administrative interfaces to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules
- Review and audit all administrative user accounts for unauthorized access
- Consider taking phpIPAM offline until a patch is available if high-value data is at risk
Patch Information
No official patch has been released by the vendor as of the last update. The vendor was contacted about this vulnerability but did not respond. Users should monitor the phpIPAM project for security updates and apply patches immediately when available.
As a defensive measure, organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions when patches become available, or implementing the workarounds listed below.
Workarounds
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to filter SQL injection attempts targeting the subnetOrdering parameter
- Restrict access to the phpIPAM administrative interface to a limited set of trusted IP addresses
- Implement network segmentation to isolate the phpIPAM server from untrusted networks
- Manually patch the edit-result.php file by adding proper input validation using parameterized queries
# Configuration example - Restrict access to phpIPAM admin via Apache
<Directory /var/www/html/phpipam/app/admin>
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
Allow from 10.0.0.0/8
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
</Directory>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
