Critical SQL Injection Vulnerability in Wheels Framework (CVE-2026-111444)

Executive Summary

A critical SQL injection vulnerability (CVE-2026-111444) with a CVSS score of 9.8 was discovered in the Wheels framework, affecting versions prior to 4.2.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries on MySQL/MariaDB databases with backslash escaping enabled, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data modifications, and denial-of-service attacks.

Technical Analysis

The vulnerability class is SQL injection, specifically occurring when an application supplies request data to inline-literal paths in the Wheels framework. This happens when using opt-in parameterize=false queries, IN lists, and positions in developer-written queries where strings are not bound by the parser, such as BETWEEN bounds, function arguments, and LIKE ESCAPE literals. The root cause is the lack of proper handling of backslash escapes when doubling single quotes, allowing an attacker to alter the query.

How It Gets Exploited

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the vulnerable application, supplying malicious input that takes advantage of the SQL injection vulnerability. For example, an attacker might send a request with a parameter value that includes doubled single quotes without accounting for backslash escapes, potentially allowing them to inject malicious SQL code. If successful, this could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data modifications, or denial-of-service attacks.

Impact Assessment

The Wheels framework versions prior to 4.2.0 are affected by this vulnerability. An attacker could achieve arbitrary SQL query execution, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data modifications, or denial-of-service attacks. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level.

Recommended Actions

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Wheels framework to version 4.2.0 or later. Additionally, developers should review their application's code to ensure that user-supplied input is properly sanitized and parameterized to prevent SQL injection attacks. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can also help detect and prevent potential attacks.

Sources

- National Vulnerability Database (NVD) - Wheels Framework Security Advisory