Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessReach exposed xmlrpc.php endpoint
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ExploitSend crafted userLogin XML-RPC request
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ExecutionInject SQL via username parameter
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ImpactRead or alter database records
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Parameterized queries, prepared statements
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Persistence The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Exploitation requires the XML-RPC interface to be reachable and, per the public exploit documentation, the USE_XMLRPC feature/configuration flag to be enabled - this is the specific gating condition and is not guaranteed in default deployments. When that feature is active, the userLogin handler in xmlrpc.php fails to sanitize the username input, allowing SQL injection via a crafted XML-RPC request with no authentication or user interaction (PR:N/UI:N). The primary limiting factors are: (1) the optional/non-default USE_XMLRPC setting must be on, (2) the xmlrpc.php endpoint must be network-exposed, and (3) affected versions are Exponent CMS up to and including 3.0.2patch2. No patch or fixed version is confirmed, as the vendor reportedly did not respond. |
| Impact | This is a moderate-risk SQL injection (CWE-89) in Exponent CMS, best treated as a patch-when-practical issue rather than an emergency. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N) describes remote, unauthenticated, low-complexity exploitation, which sounds severe, but the vendor-assigned impacts are all Low (VC:L/VI:L/VA:L) and the subsequent-system impacts are None, holding the score to 6.9 (Medium). The CVSS 4.0 string carries E:P (Proof-of-Concept), consistent with the publicly disclosed exploit, meaning exploit code exists but there is no evidence of automated weaponization. There is NO CISA KEV listing and NO EPSS score was provided in the input, so widespread or automated exploitation cannot be asserted - the signals point to opportunistic rather than mass exploitation. A key limiting factor not reflected in the raw vector: the public exploit title indicates the flaw is reachable only 'when USE_XMLRPC is enabled,' a non-default/optional feature, which materially narrows the exposed population despite the PR:N rating. Net: real but not critical priority - the unauthenticated network vector warrants attention, but low technical impact, no KEV/EPSS escalation, a niche product, and a configuration prerequisite all temper real-world urgency. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote, unauthenticated attacker sends a crafted XML-RPC request to xmlrpc.php targeting the userLogin function, injecting SQL through the username field to manipulate the backend database query. Public exploit documentation already exists (hosted on GitHub), lowering the barrier to reproduction, though exploitation requires the optional USE_XMLRPC feature to be enabled on the target. Given AV:N/AC:L, a single HTTP POST to the exposed endpoint is sufficient to attempt the injection. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Oct 12, 2026
SQL injection in Exponent CMS versions up to and including 3.0.2patch2 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL via the userLogin function in xmlrpc.php when the optional USE_XMLRPC configuration flag is enabled and the endpoint is network-reachable. The flaw stems from unsanitized username input (CWE-89), and publicly available exploit code exists, though exploitation is gated by the non-default XML-RPC setting, limiting real-world exposure. The vendor did not respond to disclosure, so no official fix is available; this is a moderate-risk issue (assessed CVSS 3.1: 6.9) best handled with compensating controls such as disabling USE_XMLRPC or restricting access to xmlrpc.php.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch or fixed version has been identified at time of analysis; the vendor was contacted but did not respond. The most effective compensating control is to disable the USE_XMLRPC configuration flag if XML-RPC functionality is not required-this prevents exploitation but breaks any integrations relying on XML-RPC. If XML-RPC must remain enabled, restrict access to xmlrpc.php to trusted IP addresses via firewall or web server rules, or block external requests entirely; this limits remote exposure but may hinder legitimate remote management. Additionally, deploy WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in XML-RPC requests as a defense-in-depth measure, though this may produce false positives. Monitor the VulDB advisory at https://vuldb.com/vuln/416691 for updates, and consider upgrading if a patched version is later released. The public exploit write-up at the GitHub link can aid in testing detection rules.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Exponent CMS is a PHP-based content management system. The XML-RPC component exposes xmlrpc.php, which implements remote procedure calls over HTTP using XML payloads; the userLogin function processes authentication requests. Because the username parameter is not sanitized before being used in an SQL query, an attacker can inject SQL statements (CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.0.2patch2 according to the CPE cpe:2.3:a:exponent:cms:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/E:P) indicates remote unauthenticated exploitation with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, and proof-of-concept exploit code maturity. However, the independent assessment notes the attack requires the USE_XMLRPC feature/configuration flag to be enabled, which is not guaranteed in default deployments, and the xmlrpc.php endpoint must be network-accessible.
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P
Remote unauthenticated SQLi via XML-RPC with low complexity (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N); impacts kept Low across C/I/A to mirror limited data exposure, and scope unchanged as the DB is same security authority.
Primary rating from Vendor (VulDB).
CVSS VectorVendor: VulDB
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
A vulnerability has been found in Exponent CMS up to 3.0.2patch2. Affected is the function userLogin of the file xmlrpc.php of the component XML-RPC. Such manipulation leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.
EUVD-2026-97502
GHSA-69p7-vpq6-728f
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
Exploit-DB