CVE-2026-77098: Commvault Private Metrics Server SQLi Flaw

CVE-2026-77098 Overview

CVE-2026-77098 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Commvault Private Metrics Server. The flaw affects database operations exposed by the metrics service and allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary SQL statements over the network. Commvault has published security advisory CV_2026_08_2 and released a maintenance update that resolves the condition. Customers running Private Metrics Server must upgrade to the fixed release to eliminate exposure. The weakness maps to [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can manipulate backend SQL queries against the Private Metrics Server database, exposing stored data and impacting query integrity and availability.

Affected Products

Commvault Private Metrics Server (prior to the resolved maintenance release identified in advisory CV_2026_08_2)
Commvault deployments exposing the Private Metrics Server component to network access
Customer-hosted Commvault environments running vulnerable Metrics Server builds

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-08 - CVE-2026-77098 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-09-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-77098

Vulnerability Analysis

The Private Metrics Server collects and reports operational telemetry from Commvault deployments. It exposes database-backed query interfaces that accept parameters used to construct SQL statements. In vulnerable builds, one or more of these parameters are concatenated into queries without adequate parameterization or input neutralization.

An attacker sending crafted input over the network can alter the intended SQL query structure. The Commvault advisory characterizes the impact as a SQL injection condition affecting database operations. Successful exploitation requires no authentication and no user interaction, which makes the Private Metrics Server endpoint a high-value target when reachable from untrusted networks.

The primary consequence is unauthorized read access to metrics database contents. Attackers may also influence query logic to modify limited data or degrade service availability, consistent with the confidentiality-focused impact rating assigned by the vendor.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special SQL elements in inputs consumed by the Private Metrics Server. Query construction fails to isolate untrusted data from SQL syntax, permitting metacharacters and clause fragments to break out of intended parameter contexts. The condition falls under [CWE-89].

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network with low attack complexity and no privileges. An attacker submits a crafted request to a Private Metrics Server endpoint that reaches a vulnerable query path. The injected fragment executes within the metrics database session, returning data or triggering side effects depending on the query context. No proof-of-concept exploit is publicly available at the time of publication, and the vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Refer to the Commvault Security Advisory CV_2026_08_2 for vendor technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-77098

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests to Private Metrics Server endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or /* comment sequences
Metrics database logs showing malformed queries, syntax errors, or queries referencing information_schema and system tables
Outbound data transfers from the Metrics Server host that do not match normal reporting patterns
Authentication-less requests from external or unmanaged IP addresses reaching the Metrics Server

Detection Strategies

Enable database query logging on the Metrics Server backend and alert on queries containing injection signatures
Inspect web server access logs for anomalous query strings and POST bodies against Metrics Server URIs
Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL injection payloads targeting Commvault management interfaces
Correlate Metrics Server request spikes with query errors to identify blind or time-based injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Baseline normal Private Metrics Server traffic sources and alert on requests from unexpected networks
Forward Commvault application, web, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation
Monitor for privilege changes, new database users, or unexpected schema modifications in the metrics database
Track process and network telemetry on the Metrics Server host to detect post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-77098

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Private Metrics Server to the resolved maintenance release identified in Commvault advisory CV_2026_08_2
Restrict network reachability of the Metrics Server to trusted management networks and administrative hosts only
Review Metrics Server and database logs for signs of prior exploitation attempts
Rotate any credentials or secrets stored within or accessible to the metrics database if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Commvault has released a maintenance update that resolves the SQL injection condition in Private Metrics Server. Apply the fixed build identified in the Commvault Security Advisory CV_2026_08_2. Confirm the deployed Metrics Server version matches or exceeds the resolved release after patching, and validate that scheduled metrics collection resumes without errors.

Workarounds

Place the Private Metrics Server behind a reverse proxy or WAF that filters SQL injection payloads until patching is complete
Enforce network access control lists that limit inbound connections to the Metrics Server to known Commvault infrastructure
Disable or isolate the Private Metrics Server component if it is not operationally required
Apply least-privilege database accounts for the Metrics Server to reduce impact of injected queries