External risk intelligence

Apache Syncope SQL Injection via Unsantized Sort Parameters

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2026-57308

Apache Syncope may be internet-facing for self-service. While the vulnerability requires administrative entitlements, which typically limits exposure, the platform's potential public accessibility keeps this in the 'Possible' category rather than 'Unlikely'.

SQL Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 3 out of 5 — possibly public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in Apache Syncope, a software used for identity and access management. This issue allows for the execution of arbitrary commands through the manipulation of data sorting functions, potentially impacting systems that handle user data and access controls. The main concern at this time is confirming if our environment is affected and to what extent.

SQL commands can be run by exploiting data sorting.
Critical software impacts identity and access management.
Confirm if this Apache Syncope is in use.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to Apache Syncope. An attacker with administrative privileges could leverage unsanitized sort parameters to execute arbitrary SQL commands through stacked queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.

Requires administrative privileges.
Triggered by unsanitized sort parameters.
Risk of arbitrary SQL execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

An administrator with sufficient permissions could execute arbitrary SQL commands by exploiting unsanitized sort parameters. This vulnerability, when successful, could allow for manipulation of the database and its contents.

System data integrity could be affected.
SQL injection may occur via unsanitized parameters.
Database corruption or unauthorized data access.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This critical SQL injection vulnerability in Apache Syncope requires administrator privileges for exploitation but could allow for arbitrary SQL execution via unsanitized sort parameters. The initial step involves identifying all Apache Syncope instances within your environment, confirming their exposure and business criticality, and locating the platform or application owner. Subsequently, a risk-based remediation plan can be developed, potentially involving vendor coordination if necessary.

Platform or application owners should manage the issue.
Verify instance exposure and business criticality.
Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Apache Syncope and how is it used?

Apache Syncope is an open-source platform used for enterprise identity and access management. It helps organizations centralize the administration of user identities, roles, and security permissions across diverse IT systems. Because it acts as a central repository for identity data, it is often a critical piece of infrastructure for managing who can access what within a corporate network.

What does CWE-89 mean for CVE-2026-57308?

CWE-89 refers to SQL Injection, a weakness where an application fails to properly sanitize user-provided input before using it in a database query. In the context of CVE-2026-57308, this means the software allows malicious SQL commands to be injected through specifically crafted data sorting parameters. Instead of just sorting data, the database inadvertently executes these injected commands as instructions.

How is this SQL injection triggered in Apache Syncope?

The vulnerability is triggered when an authenticated administrator submits a request containing a crafted sort parameter that the system does not properly sanitize. It is important to note that this is not a public-facing flaw that just anyone can trigger; the attack path specifically requires the attacker to have existing administrative entitlements within the Apache Syncope application to successfully execute the stacked SQL queries.

Is my Apache Syncope instance at risk?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this software is often internet-facing to support self-service identity tasks, which increases the likelihood of external interaction. While an attacker needs administrative access to exploit this specific vulnerability, the potential for public accessibility makes it important to verify your instance's configuration and ensure that administrative access is strictly controlled and monitored.

What are the first steps to address this CVE?

Start by identifying all Apache Syncope instances running in your environment to determine if they fall within the affected version ranges. Once identified, work with the platform owners to assess the business criticality of those specific systems. The primary path to resolution is upgrading to the patched versions provided by the vendor, specifically 4.0.7 or 4.1.2, which address the improper sanitization of sort parameters.

References

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.