Skip to main content
Mallory
CriticalCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

SQL injection in Roundcube search/search_params

IdentifiersCVE-2021-44026CWE-89· Improper Neutralization of Special…

CVE-2021-44026 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail affecting versions before 1.3.17 and 1.4.x before 1.4.12. According to the provided content, the issue is reachable via the search or search_params functionality. Improper handling of attacker-controlled input in these parameters can allow crafted input to alter backend SQL queries. The content also notes this vulnerability was exploited by APT28/GRU unit 26165 as part of operations against webmail infrastructure, where Roundcube flaws were used to access and exfiltrate email data.

Share:
For your environment

Are you exposed to this one?

Mallory correlates every CVE against your assets, your vendors, and active adversary campaigns. Know which vulnerabilities matter for you, not just which ones are loud.

ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can allow unauthorized interaction with the Roundcube backend database through injected SQL. Based on the provided content, threat actors used Roundcube vulnerabilities including CVE-2021-44026 to access and exfiltrate email data. Depending on deployment specifics and query context, impact can include unauthorized mailbox data access, extraction of stored information, and compromise of the confidentiality of email content and related metadata.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure of Roundcube webmail to untrusted networks, restrict access through VPN or IP allowlisting where operationally feasible, and monitor for anomalous requests involving search and search_params. Implement WAF rules or request filtering to detect and block obvious SQL injection patterns, and increase monitoring of database and webmail access for unusual query behavior or mailbox data retrieval. These are compensating controls only; patching is the primary mitigation.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Roundcube to a fixed release: 1.3.17 or later on the 1.3 branch, or 1.4.12 or later on the 1.4 branch. Apply vendor patches across all exposed Roundcube instances and verify that no unsupported vulnerable versions remain in service. Because the content indicates active exploitation by a state-sponsored actor, organizations should also review logs and mailbox activity for signs of prior compromise or data access.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.

VALID 2 / 2 TOTALView more in app
CVE-2021-44026-PoCMaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository contains a chained XSS and SQL injection exploit targeting a webmail application (likely Roundcube or similar). The main Python script (exploit_chain_xss_sqli.py) acts as both a C2 server and a tool to send a crafted email containing a base64-encoded JavaScript payload. When the victim opens the email, the payload loads an external JavaScript file (x-fetch-sqli.js) from the attacker's server. This script performs a SQL injection attack via the webmail interface, manipulates session variables, and ultimately exfiltrates sensitive session data (such as session IDs and variables) back to the attacker's C2 server. The repository is structured with a Python server and a JavaScript payload, demonstrating a full attack chain from initial delivery to data exfiltration. The exploit requires the attacker to control an SMTP account and a C2 server, and the target must be vulnerable to both XSS and SQL injection in the webmail interface.

skyllproDisclosed Apr 20, 2025pythonjavascriptbrowsernetwork
roundcube-cve-2021-44026MaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository provides a working exploit for Roundcube webmail vulnerabilities CVE-2021-44026 (SQL injection) and CVE-2020-35730 (XSS). The exploit consists of a Python script (exploit.py) that acts as both an email sender and a Flask-based C2 server, and a JavaScript payload (static/fetcher.js) that is delivered to the victim via a crafted email. The attack chain is as follows: (1) The attacker runs exploit.py, which sends a malicious email to the target user. (2) When the target opens the email in a vulnerable Roundcube instance, the embedded XSS payload executes, loading fetcher.js from the attacker's server. (3) fetcher.js performs a SQL injection to extract session variables and emails, then exfiltrates this data as a vCard to the attacker's /store endpoint. The repository is well-structured, with clear separation between the exploit logic (Python) and the client-side payload (JavaScript). The exploit is operational and demonstrates a full attack chain, including exfiltration of sensitive data from the target.

pentesttoolscomDisclosed Nov 14, 2023pythonjavascriptnetworkemailbrowser
EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
DebianDebian Linuxoperating_system
Fedora ProjectFedoraoperating_system
RoundcubeWebmailapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence1

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware1

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures1

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity3

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.