SQLAdmin: Unvalidated sortBy parameter in `ModelView` bypasses `column_sortable_list`
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure, Denial of service, Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-200, CWE-248 and CWE-639.
Summary
SQLAdmin is a flexible Admin interface for SQLAlchemy models. Prior to 0.27.1, ModelView.sort_query in sqladmin/models.py accepts the attacker-controlled sortBy list-view query parameter without enforcing the configured column_sortable_list server-side allow-list in self._sort_fields. The value is resolved with getattr and passed to relationship joins and order_by, allowing requests to sort by columns hidden from column_list and by related-model columns through dotted paths. The resulting row order forms an information-exposure oracle for unexposed values, and reversing ascending and descending order confirms their relative ordering. Pairing sortBy with searchable or filterable columns and pagination can narrow the oracle toward specific values, but exact recovery depends on the application's available fields and data. This issue is fixed in version 0.27.1.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| smithyhq | sqladmin | before 0.27.1 | 0.27.1 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | sqladmin (PyPI) | before 0.27.1 | 0.27.1 | Patch available | GHSA-ccg5-9c8w-xh6v |
- sqladmin Vendorsmithyhq Affected before 0.27.1 Fixed in 0.27.1 Patch available CNA
- sqladmin (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 0.27.1 Fixed in 0.27.1 Patch available GHSA-ccg5-9c8w-xh6v
Remediation
- Fix · CNA sqladmin (smithyhq) Fixed in 0.27.1
- Fix · GHSA-ccg5-9c8w-xh6v sqladmin (PyPI) Fixed in 0.27.1 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-54529
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-ccg5-9c8w-xh6v
References
More smithyhq vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-34296 SQLAdmin: Authorization Bypass on `ajax_lookup` CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.3
Sources
- CVE-2026-54529 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-54529 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-ccg5-9c8w-xh6v · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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