Metacat has an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass, SQL injection
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-287 and CWE-89.
Summary
Metacat is data repository software that helps researchers preserve, share, and discover data. Versions 2.0.0 and and above contain an unauthenticated SQL injection in the /harvesterRegistration endpoint. HarvesterRegistration.dbInsert() builds an INSERT against HARVEST_SITE_SCHEDULE via string concatenation, using a quoteString() helper that performs raw single-quote wrapping without escaping. Three request parameters reach the sink: unit, contactEmail, and documentListURL. The servlet does not verify a real LDAP identity. Allowing the vulnerable insert to proceed. Since the PostgreSQL backend permits stacked queries via Statement.executeUpdate(), this vulnerability allows full read/write/execute access in the Metacat database context. The vulnerability was remediated in Metacat 3.0.0.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA metacat (NCEAS) Fixed in 3.0.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-48114
References
More NCEAS vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-35888 Metacat has an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-35254 unauthenticated path traversal in Metacat 2.x CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-36848 Metacat acts as unintended proxy to backend Apache SOLR engine CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.8
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences