SQL Injection in DBIx::QuickORM Perl Module

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows SQL injection via unquoted SQL identifiers, which can lead to unauthorized data disclosure and tampering.

Such unauthorized access and manipulation of data can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information, potentially violating compliance requirements of standards like GDPR and HIPAA that mandate protection of personal and health data.

Therefore, if exploited, this vulnerability could result in non-compliance with these regulations due to data breaches or unauthorized data modifications.

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Executive Summary

CVE-2026-13766 is a SQL injection vulnerability in DBIx::QuickORM versions before 0.000026 for Perl. It occurs because the default SQL builder does not quote SQL identifiers such as column names, order_by clauses, where keys, and join aliases. This means that attacker-controlled input supplied to these identifier positions is included verbatim in the SQL query, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL code.

Specifically, the SQL::Abstract subclass used as the default SQL builder sets bindtype but never sets quote_char, so identifiers are not quoted. As a result, untrusted input forwarded to identifier positions like order_by or where-clause column keys can lead to SQL injection, enabling attackers to manipulate the query's behavior, such as changing row order or disclosing and tampering with data.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow an attacker to perform SQL injection attacks by injecting malicious SQL code through unquoted SQL identifiers. The impact includes the ability to manipulate the order of query results, disclose sensitive data, and tamper with data in the database.

Because attacker-controlled input can reach the SQL string raw in identifier positions, an attacker could craft inputs that execute sub-selects or modify where and update clauses, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or modification.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves SQL injection via unquoted SQL identifiers in DBIx::QuickORM. Detection involves identifying if your application uses DBIx::QuickORM versions before 0.000026 and if it forwards untrusted input to SQL identifier positions such as order_by, where-clause column keys, field lists, upsert columns, or join aliases.

To detect exploitation attempts or presence of the vulnerability, you can monitor SQL queries for suspicious patterns where identifiers are not quoted and may contain injected SQL fragments.

Suggested commands include searching application logs or database query logs for unquoted identifiers or unusual SQL syntax in order_by or where clauses. For example, using grep or similar tools to find suspicious patterns:

• grep -iE "order_by.*[;'"]" /path/to/app/logs/*
• grep -iE "where.*[;'"]" /path/to/db/query/logs/*

Additionally, review application source code for usage of DBIx::QuickORM methods that accept user input in identifier positions without proper quoting.

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Mitigation Strategies

The primary mitigation is to upgrade DBIx::QuickORM to version 0.000026 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed by enforcing quoting of all SQL identifiers.

If immediate upgrade is not possible, ensure that any user input forwarded to SQL identifier positions (order_by, where-clause keys, field lists, upsert columns, join aliases) is properly sanitized or restricted to safe values.

Review and modify application code to avoid passing raw user input as plain strings in identifier positions. Instead, use scalar references or hash forms as recommended by the patch to safely quote identifiers.

Monitor and audit SQL queries for suspicious unquoted identifiers and injection attempts.

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