External risk intelligence

Apache Syncope SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2026-114364

Apache Syncope is an identity and access management platform. Such platforms are typically deployed as web-based enterprise services, often with interfaces reachable by authorized users or integrated systems over the network. While the specific vulnerability requires administrative entitlements, the product's role as a centralized identity management gateway makes it a common internet-facing or edge-service application.

SQL Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in Apache Syncope, an identity management system, allows for the execution of arbitrary SQL commands. This could potentially compromise sensitive data and system integrity if an administrator with specific entitlements is targeted. The main concern is confirming if our environment is exposed to this risk.

Unsanitized commands can execute arbitrary SQL.
Central identity systems are high-value targets.
Confirm relevance and exposure of this identity system.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by targeting the Apache Syncope application, which handles identity and access management. This could lead to the execution of arbitrary SQL commands, potentially allowing for significant data compromise and system control.

Requires administrative access.
Triggered via unsanitized parameters.
Risk: arbitrary SQL execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an attacker with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands by exploiting unsanitized parameters in event operations. This could impact the integrity and availability of the Apache Syncope system.

System data and service integrity at risk.
Arbitrary SQL execution via stacked queries.
Potential for unauthorized data access or modification.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This SQL injection vulnerability in Apache Syncope, particularly affecting systems with administrative entitlements, requires immediate attention from platform or application owners responsible for identity and access management. The first practical step is to identify all instances of the affected Apache Syncope versions within your environment, determine their network exposure, and assess their criticality to business operations. Once identified, engage the accountable owners to plan and execute the upgrade to a patched version, prioritizing systems with greater exposure or business impact.

Platform or application owners should lead.
Verify Syncope instances and network exposure.
Upgrade to patched versions promptly.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Apache Syncope?

Apache Syncope is an open-source identity and access management (IAM) platform. It serves as a centralized system for managing digital identities, user attributes, and access permissions across enterprise applications. Because it acts as a gateway for authentication and authorization, it is often a core component in managing how users access organizational resources.

What is the vulnerability class for CVE-2026-114364?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89, commonly known as SQL injection. It occurs when an application improperly neutralizes special characters in user-supplied input before using that input in a database command. In the context of CVE-2026-114364, specifically, it allows for 'stacked queries,' where an attacker can append unauthorized database commands to an intended one.

How is the SQL injection triggered in Apache Syncope?

The flaw is triggered when an attacker with existing administrative entitlements interacts with the system using unsanitized opEvent parameters. It is important to note that standard, low-privileged, or unauthenticated users cannot trigger this specific vulnerability; it relies on the abuse of administrative functions.

Is my Apache Syncope instance at risk?

According to Halo Surface Signal, Apache Syncope is often deployed as a web-based service with network-accessible interfaces. While this specific flaw requires administrative privileges, the system's role as a central identity gateway makes it a likely candidate for being an internet-facing or edge-service application, which increases the necessity of evaluating your deployment's visibility.

What should I do to secure my environment?

Your first step is to inventory all Apache Syncope installations to identify those running the affected versions (3.0.0-M0 to 3.0.16, 4.0.0-M0 to 4.0.8, and 4.1.0-M0 to 4.1.3). After identifying these instances, prioritize them based on their network exposure and business criticality. Finally, plan and execute an upgrade to version 4.0.9 or 4.1.4, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent this SQL injection path.

References

lists.apache.org/thread.html/j65oo441q5gpr4d0ljb644r9mdro2slm

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.