CVE-2021-29053: Release.portal.bom SQL Injection Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 is a security vulnerability in Release.portal.bom involving Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP Vulnerable to Multiple SQL Injections under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection').

Q: Which Release.portal.bom versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 7.3.6, 7.3.10.fp1 across affected packages: com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom, com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2021-29053?

Upgrading to 7.3.6, 7.3.10.fp1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is release.portal.bom affected?

Yes, com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom is affected in releases prior to 7.3.6. Upgrade your dependency to 7.3.6 or later.

Q: Is release.dxp.bom affected?

Yes, com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom is affected in releases prior to 7.3.10.fp1. Upgrade your dependency to 7.3.10.fp1 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-29053?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.liferay.portal'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

HIGH

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-f9wj-c5pc-g9rh

CVSS 8.8

CWE-89

Published 2022-05-24

Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-29053 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) sql injection vulnerability (CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')) affecting Release.portal.bom libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves liferay portal and liferay dxp vulnerable to multiple sql injections. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.3.6, 7.3.10.fp1.

CVE-2021-29053 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-29053

GHSA Identifier GHSA-f9wj-c5pc-g9rh

Severity HIGH

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.8

CWE Classification CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')

Affected Product Release.portal.bom

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2022-05-24

Last Updated 2025-05-14

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required Low (PR:L)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality High (C:H)

Integrity High (I:H)

Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-29053

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Release.portal.bom dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom fixed: 7.3.6

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.liferay.portal</groupId>
    <artifactId>release.portal.bom</artifactId>
    <version>7.3.6</version>
</dependency>

com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom fixed: 7.3.10.fp1

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.liferay.portal</groupId>
    <artifactId>release.dxp.bom</artifactId>
    <version>7.3.10.fp1</version>
</dependency>

Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.liferay.portal

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-29053, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.liferay.portal

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Release.portal.bom in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 7.3.6), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.liferay.portal command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an sql command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended sql command when it is sent to a downstream component. without sufficient removal or quoting of sql syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated sql query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as sql instead of ordinary user data. In Release.portal.bom, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Liferay Portal 7.3.5 and Liferay DXP 7.3 before fix pack 1 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the classPKField parameter to (1) CommerceChannelRelFinder.countByC_C, or (2) CommerceChannelRelFinder.findByC_C.

CVE-2021-29053 Affected Release.portal.bom Versions

2 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

7.3.67.3.10.fp1

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom maven/com.liferay.portal/release.portal.bom	Maven	≥ 7.3.5 < 7.3.6 All 1 versions 7.3.5	7.3.6
com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom maven/com.liferay.portal/release.dxp.bom	Maven	< 7.3.10.fp1	7.3.10.fp1

References

NVD — CVE-2021-29053 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29053

Release.portal.bom Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/liferay/liferay-portal

Release.portal.bom Security Information SECURITY

https://web.archive.org/web/20221121171927/https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/id/120778225

liferay.com WEB

http://liferay.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 is a security vulnerability in Release.portal.bom involving Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP Vulnerable to Multiple SQL Injections under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection').

Which Release.portal.bom versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 7.3.6, 7.3.10.fp1 across affected packages: com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom, com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom.

What version fixes CVE-2021-29053?

Upgrading to 7.3.6, 7.3.10.fp1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is release.portal.bom affected?

Yes, com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom is affected in releases prior to 7.3.6. Upgrade your dependency to 7.3.6 or later.

Is release.dxp.bom affected?

Yes, com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom is affected in releases prior to 7.3.10.fp1. Upgrade your dependency to 7.3.10.fp1 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29053?

CVE-2021-29053 is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-29053?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.liferay.portal'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema

Normalized schema output

View Raw JSON

{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-f9wj-c5pc-g9rh",
  "modified" : "2025-05-14T07:46:34Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-24T19:02:39Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-29053" ],
  "summary" : "Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP Vulnerable to Multiple SQL Injections",
  "details" : "Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Liferay Portal 7.3.5 and Liferay DXP 7.3 before fix pack 1 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the classPKField parameter to (1) CommerceChannelRelFinder.countByC_C, or (2) CommerceChannelRelFinder.findByC_C.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.liferay.portal:release.portal.bom"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.3.5"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.3.6"
      } ]
    } ],
    "versions" : [ "7.3.5" ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.liferay.portal:release.dxp.bom"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.3.10.fp1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29053"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/liferay/liferay-portal"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20221121171927/https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/id/120778225"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://liferay.com"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-89" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2025-05-14T07:46:33Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-05-17T11:15:00Z"
  }
}

CVSS V3

8.8 HIGH