CVE-2025-5878 ESAPI esapi-java-legacy SQL Injection Defense Encoder.encodeForSQL special element
Attackers can exploit improper neutralization in the SQL injection defense encoder to perform SQL injection attacks against applications using this Java library.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-5878?
CVE-2025-5878 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability in esapi-java-legacy, published on 29 Jun 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability was found in ESAPI esapi-java-legacy and classified as problematic. This issue affects the interface Encoder.encodeForSQL of the SQL Injection Defense. An attack leads to an improper neutralization of special elements. The attack may be initiated remotely and an exploit has been disclosed to the public. The project was contacted early about this issue and handled it with an exceptional level of professionalism. Upgrading to version 2.7.0.0 is able to address this issue. Commit ID f75ac2c2647a81d2cfbdc9c899f8719c240ed512 is disabling the feature by default and any attempt to use it will trigger a warning. And commit ID e2322914304d9b1c52523ff24be495b7832f6a56 is updating the misleading Java class documentation to warn about the risks.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-5878?
How do I fix CVE-2025-5878?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Use parameterised queries everywhere and never build SQL by joining strings. Upgrade affected software first; a web application firewall only buys time. More about SQL injection.
Is CVE-2025-5878 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-5878 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2025-5878, GHSA-hxjw-v2v5-hpcr, RHLW-2026-cc6f4a613453615e, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-5878.