CVE-2026-2613: 
WSO2 API Manager vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-2613 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the Admin REST API of multiple WSO2 products, caused by insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input. An authenticated administrator can manipulate SQL query structures to infer database contents and potentially disrupt database availability. Affected products include WSO2 API Manager (4.0.0–4.6.x), WSO2 Universal Gateway (4.5.0–4.6.x), WSO2 API Control Plane (4.5.0–4.6.x), WSO2 Traffic Manager (4.5.0–4.6.x), and the org.wso2.carbon.apimgt.impl library (before 9.33.25). The vulnerability was published on November 2, 2026, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.7 (High) (GitHub Advisory, WSO2 Advisory).

The root cause is CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), where the Admin REST API passes user-controlled input directly into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. An attacker with administrator privileges can craft API requests that alter the structure of executed SQL statements, enabling blind SQL injection — a technique where database information is inferred through conditional responses rather than direct data output. The attack is network-based, requires no user interaction, and has a changed scope, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to the underlying database service (GitHub Advisory, WSO2 Advisory).

Successful exploitation allows an authenticated administrator to extract sensitive information from the backend database through blind SQL injection, resulting in high confidentiality impact. Additionally, the attacker can degrade or disrupt the availability of the database service, potentially causing denial of service for dependent API management functions. Integrity is not directly impacted according to the CVSS assessment, but data exfiltration from the database could expose API keys, credentials, and configuration data stored within the WSO2 platform (GitHub Advisory, WSO2 Advisory).

No public proof-of-concept exploit code has been identified, and there is no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation at this time (GitHub Advisory). The EPSS score is 0.0, reflecting a currently low probability of exploitation in the near term (ENISA EUVD). Exploitation requires high privileges (administrator-level access to the Admin REST API), which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or compromised admin accounts. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and no threat actor attribution has been reported.

1. Reconnaissance: Identify WSO2 API Manager or related product instances exposed on the network, targeting versions within the affected ranges (e.g., API Manager 4.0.0–4.6.0.14). Confirm the Admin REST API is accessible, typically on port 9443.
2. Obtain Admin Credentials: Acquire administrator credentials through phishing, credential stuffing, or insider access — exploitation requires high-privilege authentication.
3. Authenticate to Admin REST API: Use the obtained credentials to authenticate against the WSO2 Admin REST API endpoint (e.g., https://<host>:9443/api/am/admin/v4/).
4. Identify Injectable Parameters: Probe API endpoints that accept query parameters or filter inputs, testing for SQL injection by injecting boolean-based or time-based payloads (e.g., appending ' AND 1=1-- or ' AND SLEEP(5)--).
5. Execute Blind SQL Injection: Use tools such as sqlmap with session cookies or bearer tokens to automate blind SQL injection, inferring database schema, table names, and sensitive data through conditional response differences or time delays.
6. Extract Sensitive Data: Enumerate database contents including API keys, user credentials, subscription data, and configuration values stored in the WSO2 database.
7. Disrupt Availability (Optional): Execute resource-intensive SQL queries (e.g., heavy joins or recursive queries) to degrade database performance and impact service availability (GitHub Advisory, WSO2 Advisory).

• Network: Unusual or repeated API requests to WSO2 Admin REST API endpoints (e.g., /api/am/admin/v4/) with query parameters containing SQL metacharacters (', --, AND, OR, SLEEP, WAITFOR).
• Logs: WSO2 access logs showing high volumes of requests to admin API endpoints from a single source IP; database error messages or anomalous query execution times logged in application or database logs.
• Database: Slow query logs showing unexpectedly long-running or resource-intensive queries originating from the WSO2 application database user; queries with unusual boolean conditions or time-delay functions.
• Process: Elevated database CPU or I/O utilization without corresponding legitimate administrative activity; database connection pool exhaustion events correlated with Admin REST API activity.

WSO2 has released patched versions addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to the following minimum versions: WSO2 API Manager 4.0.0.387, 4.1.0.251, 4.2.0.191, 4.3.0.102, 4.4.0.66, 4.5.0.51, or 4.6.0.15; WSO2 Traffic Manager 4.5.0.50 or 4.6.0.15; WSO2 API Control Plane 4.5.0.52 or 4.6.0.16; WSO2 Universal Gateway 4.5.0.51 or 4.6.0.15; and org.wso2.carbon.apimgt.impl 9.33.25 or later (WSO2 Advisory). As interim mitigations, restrict access to the Admin REST API to trusted IP ranges using network-level controls (firewall rules or API gateway policies), enforce the principle of least privilege for administrator accounts, and monitor database query logs for anomalous SQL patterns indicative of injection attempts.