# CVE-2018-11772: SQL injection in VCL

> An SQL injection vulnerability in Apache VCL allows attackers with admin rights to manipulate database queries via cookie input.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 29 Jul 2019
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9g75-854j-jwmx

## What is CVE-2018-11772?

CVE-2018-11772 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in Apache VCL, published on 29 Jul 2019. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache VCL versions 2.1 through 2.5 do not properly validate cookie input when determining what node (if any) was previously selected in the privilege tree. The cookie data is then used in an SQL statement. This allows for an SQL injection attack. Access to this portion of a VCL system requires admin level rights. Other layers of security seem to protect against malicious attack. However, all VCL systems running versions earlier than 2.5.1 should be upgraded or patched. This vulnerability was found and reported to the Apache VCL project by ADLab of Venustech.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-11772?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Virtual Computing Lab.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-11772?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-11772 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-11772 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-11772 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache VCL

- [CVE-2018-11773](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11773/): Other in VCL (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2018-11774](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11774/): SQL injection in VCL (high 7.2)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-11772 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-11772 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in Apache VCL, published on 29 Jul 2019. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-11772 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apache VCL. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11772/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11772/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-11772
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11772
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-11772

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11772/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.