# CVE-2023-2039: novel-plus sql injection

> Remote attackers can exploit SQL injection in novel-plus via the sort parameter to read or modify database contents.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 14 Apr 2023
- **Updated:** 6 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-99qh-gfv7-cc9q

## What is CVE-2023-2039?

CVE-2023-2039 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability in Xxyopen Novel-Plus, published on 14 Apr 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability was found in novel-plus 3.6.2. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /author/list?limit=10&offset=0&order=desc. The manipulation of the argument sort leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-225917 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-2039?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Xxyopen Novel-Plus.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-2039?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-2039 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-2039 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-2039 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Xxyopen Novel-Plus

- [CVE-2025-45890](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-45890/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-25274](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-25274/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-24014](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24014/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-24018](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24018/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-24021](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24021/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-2039 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-2039 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability in Xxyopen Novel-Plus, published on 14 Apr 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-2039 exists.

Affected product: Xxyopen Novel-Plus. 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-2023-2039/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2039/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-2039
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2039
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-2039

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2039/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.