CWE-652

Improper Neutralization of Data within XQuery Expressions ('XQuery Injection')
AI Translation Available

The product uses external input to dynamically construct an XQuery expression used to retrieve data from an XML database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes that input. This allows an attacker to control the structure of the query.

Status
incomplete
Abstraction
base
Likelihood
high

The net effect is that the attacker will have control over the information selected from the XML database and may use that ability to control application flow, modify logic, retrieve unauthorized data, or bypass important checks (e.g. authentication).

Common Consequences

confidentiality
Impacts
read application data

Potential Mitigations

Phases:
implementation
Descriptions:
• Properly validate user input. Reject data where appropriate, filter where appropriate and escape where appropriate. Make sure input that will be used in XQL queries is safe in that context.
• Use parameterized queries. This will help ensure separation between data plane and control plane.