CVE-2025-59681 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability affecting specific versions of the Django web framework, namely versions 4.2 prior to 4.2.25, 5.1 prior to 5.1.13, and 5.2 prior to 5.2.7. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89) within certain QuerySet methods: annotate(), alias(), aggregate(), and extra(). These methods accept keyword arguments (**kwargs) that can be expanded from a dictionary. When these kwargs are crafted maliciously and used as column aliases in SQL queries executed on MySQL or MariaDB databases, an attacker can inject arbitrary SQL code. This injection flaw can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data (confidentiality impact) and partial integrity compromise, as the attacker may manipulate query results or extract information beyond intended access. The vulnerability requires network access (AV:N), has a high attack complexity (AC:H), requires low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the vulnerable code itself. The CVSS score is 7.1 (high severity), reflecting the significant risk posed by this flaw. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and the widespread use of Django in web applications make it a critical concern. The issue specifically affects MySQL and MariaDB backends, which are commonly used with Django in production environments. The vulnerability was published on October 1, 2025, with the reservation date on September 18, 2025. No official patches are linked in the provided data, but it is expected that Django will release updates to address this issue promptly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on Django-based web applications connected to MySQL or MariaDB databases. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, including personal data protected under GDPR, potentially resulting in data breaches with severe legal and financial consequences. The partial integrity impact could allow attackers to manipulate query results, undermining trust in application data. Given the high prevalence of Django in European tech sectors, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, the vulnerability could disrupt business operations and damage reputations. The requirement for low privileges means that even users with limited access could exploit this flaw, increasing the attack surface. The lack of user interaction needed facilitates automated exploitation attempts from remote attackers. The high attack complexity somewhat limits exploitation to skilled attackers who can craft the malicious kwargs, but the widespread availability of exploit techniques for SQL injection makes this a realistic threat. Organizations failing to patch promptly may face targeted attacks or opportunistic scanning by threat actors. Compliance with European data protection regulations mandates swift remediation to avoid penalties.

European organizations should immediately audit their Django applications to identify usage of the vulnerable versions (4.2 before 4.2.25, 5.1 before 5.1.13, and 5.2 before 5.2.7) and upgrade to the latest patched releases as soon as they become available. Until patches are applied, developers should avoid using the affected QuerySet methods (annotate(), alias(), aggregate(), extra()) with dynamically constructed kwargs, especially those involving user input or untrusted data sources. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for any data used in query construction. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting SQL injection patterns specific to MySQL/MariaDB and Django ORM misuse. Conduct thorough code reviews focusing on ORM usage patterns that could lead to injection. Monitor application logs for anomalous query patterns or errors indicative of injection attempts. Limit database user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce potential damage from exploitation. Additionally, implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools that can detect and block injection attempts in real time. Finally, ensure incident response plans include procedures for SQL injection attacks and data breach notifications compliant with GDPR.