# CVE-2026-48114: Metacat has an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability

> Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands via the harvesterRegistration endpoint, leading to full database compromise.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Jun 2026
- **Updated:** 15 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wrc6-rc34-hrcg

## What is CVE-2026-48114?

CVE-2026-48114 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in NCEAS metacat, published on 15 Jun 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Metacat is data repository software that helps researchers preserve, share, and discover data. Versions 2.0.0 and and above contain an unauthenticated SQL injection in the /harvesterRegistration endpoint. HarvesterRegistration.dbInsert() builds an INSERT against HARVEST_SITE_SCHEDULE via string concatenation, using a quoteString() helper that performs raw single-quote wrapping without escaping. Three request parameters reach the sink: unit, contactEmail, and documentListURL. The servlet does not verify a real LDAP identity. Allowing the vulnerable insert to proceed. Since the PostgreSQL backend permits stacked queries via Statement.executeUpdate(), this vulnerability allows full read/write/execute access in the Metacat database context. The vulnerability was remediated in Metacat 3.0.0.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48114?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-48114?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-48114 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-48114 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48114 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-48114 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-48114 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in NCEAS metacat, published on 15 Jun 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48114 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: NCEAS metacat. 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-2026-48114/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48114/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-48114
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48114
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-48114

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48114/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.