CVE-2026-2161 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in the itsourcecode Directory Management System version 1.0, specifically within the /admin/forget-password.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'email' parameter, which is directly used in SQL queries without adequate validation or parameterization. This flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of database contents, or disruption of service. The attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on February 8, 2026, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating medium severity. Although no active exploits have been reported in the wild, the availability of exploit code means attackers could develop and deploy attacks rapidly. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, and no official patches have been linked yet. The Directory Management System is typically used to manage organizational directories, making the confidentiality and integrity of stored data critical. The SQL injection could lead to data leakage, unauthorized privilege escalation, or denial of service if exploited. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it accessible to remote attackers over the network. The scope is limited to the affected version and the specific vulnerable endpoint, but the impact on affected systems can be significant. The CVSS vector indicates low complexity and no privileges required, but limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices such as input validation and use of prepared statements in web applications handling sensitive data.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2026-2161 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive directory information, modification or deletion of critical data, and potential disruption of directory services. This can affect user authentication processes, internal communications, and access control mechanisms, potentially leading to broader security incidents. Organizations relying on the itsourcecode Directory Management System for managing employee or customer directories may face compliance risks under GDPR due to potential data breaches. The medium severity score reflects a moderate risk, but the lack of required authentication and user interaction increases the likelihood of exploitation. The impact is particularly significant for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions. Additionally, exploitation could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within networks, escalating the severity of attacks. The absence of known active exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the public availability of exploit code necessitates urgent action. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruptions for affected European entities.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access to the /admin/forget-password.php endpoint via network controls such as firewalls or VPNs to limit exposure to trusted users only. 2. Implement input validation and sanitization on the 'email' parameter to reject or properly encode malicious input. 3. Refactor the vulnerable code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. 4. Monitor logs for unusual or suspicious activity targeting the forget-password functionality to detect attempted exploitation. 5. If possible, upgrade to a patched version of the Directory Management System once available from the vendor. 6. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this endpoint. 7. Conduct security audits and code reviews of custom or third-party web applications to identify similar injection flaws. 8. Educate development teams on secure coding practices to prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities. 9. Implement multi-factor authentication and robust access controls to reduce the impact of potential compromise. 10. Prepare incident response plans specific to SQL injection attacks to enable rapid containment and remediation.