Wheels: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
CVE-2026-111444 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command vulnerability in Wheels, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 4.2.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Wheels to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Wheels to 4.2.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (mitre.org).
Official description
Wheels through 4.1.2 allows SQL injection on MySQL/MariaDB with backslash escaping enabled (NO_BACKSLASH_ESCAPES absent) when an application supplies request data to inline-literal paths. These include opt-in parameterize=false queries and IN lists, and positions in developer-written where strings that the parser does not bind, such as BETWEEN bounds, function arguments and LIKE ESCAPE literals. Doubling single quotes without accounting for backslash escapes allows a value to alter the query. Bound paths are not affected; whereBetween() is bound from 4.1.2. This is fixed in 4.2.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using persistence layers such as Hibernate or Enterprise Java Beans, which can provide significant protection against SQL injection if used properly.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities (CWE-89)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Wheels
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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