CVE-2021-42258: BQE BillQuick Web Suite SQL Injection Vulnerability

100

Patch now

CRITICAL 9.8EXPLOITEDREMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-42258 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting billquick web suite, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

BQE BillQuick Web Suite 2018 through 2021 before 22.0.9.1 allows SQL injection for unauthenticated remote code execution, as exploited in the wild in October 2021 for ransomware installation. SQL injection can, for example, use the txtID (aka username) parameter. Successful exploitation can include the ability to execute arbitrary code as MSSQLSERVER$ via xp_cmdshell.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Used in ransomware campaigns
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	75.2% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2021-11-17, used in ransomware
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2021-10-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bqe

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-10-22 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2021-11-03Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2021-11-17Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 04:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bqe billquick web suite UPGRADE

Affected: >= 19 and < 22.0.9.1

Fixed in: 22.0.9.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 19

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy billquick-web-suite || rpm -q billquick-web-suite || billquick-web-suite --version

2. UPGRADE to 22.0.9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade billquick-web-suite

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade billquick-web-suite

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison billquick-web-suite sudo apt install billquick-web-suite=<VERSION_BEFORE_19> sudo apt-mark hold billquick-web-suite

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list billquick-web-suite sudo dnf downgrade billquick-web-suite-<VERSION_BEFORE_19> sudo dnf versionlock add billquick-web-suite

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · bitcoin-core-selinux · FIXED · 0.3-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-51fc806272 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-51fc806272

Fedora ELN · guestfs-tools · FIXED · 1.57.5-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-9577c5ec16 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-9577c5ec16

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.huntress.com/blog/threat-advisory-hackers-are-exploiting-a-vulnerability-in-popular-bi
Metasploit: BillQuick Web Suite txtID SQLi
Nuclei scan template: BillQuick Web Suite SQL Injection

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-42258?

billquick web suite: upgrade to 22.0.9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-42258 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-42258 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2021-42258 affect?

CVE-2021-42258 affects billquick web suite. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). BQE BillQuick Web Suite 2018 through 2021 before 22.0.9.1 allows SQL injection for unauthenticated remote code execution, as exploited in the wild in October 2021 for ransomware installation. SQL injection can, for example, use the txtID (a

How urgent is CVE-2021-42258?

Priority 100/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

← Back to latest CVEs