CVE-2024-26264: Ebmtech Risweb SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2024-26264 Overview

CVE-2024-26264 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting EBM Technologies RISWEB, a web-based application used in healthcare environments. The vulnerability exists in a specific query function parameter that fails to properly restrict user input. Compounding the severity, the affected feature page is accessible without authentication, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands. Successful exploitation enables threat actors to read, modify, and delete database records, potentially exposing sensitive medical information and compromising data integrity.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands to read, modify, or delete database records without any authentication, potentially compromising sensitive healthcare data.

Affected Products

• EBM Technologies RISWEB (all versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-02-15 - CVE-2024-26264 published to NVD
• 2025-01-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-26264

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (SQL Injection), representing a fundamental failure in input validation and sanitization. The RISWEB application exposes a query function that accepts user-controlled parameters without proper filtering or parameterized queries. The lack of authentication requirements on the vulnerable endpoint significantly amplifies the risk, as any network-connected attacker can attempt exploitation without first compromising credentials.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network with low complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. Successful exploitation results in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database contents. In healthcare environments where RISWEB is deployed, this could mean unauthorized access to patient records, medical imaging data, and other protected health information (PHI).

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-26264 is improper input validation in the RISWEB query function parameter. The application directly concatenates user-supplied input into SQL queries without sanitization, escaping, or the use of parameterized queries. Additionally, the vulnerable endpoint lacks authentication controls, exposing the SQL injection surface to unauthenticated attackers.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring only HTTP/HTTPS access to the vulnerable RISWEB instance. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads in the vulnerable query parameter. Since no authentication is required, reconnaissance and exploitation can be performed directly against exposed instances.

The vulnerability allows for classic SQL injection techniques including UNION-based extraction, boolean-based blind injection, and time-based blind injection to enumerate and exfiltrate database contents. Depending on the database configuration and permissions, attackers may also be able to execute system commands or write files to the underlying server.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-26264

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL syntax patterns in web application logs targeting query function parameters
• Unexpected database queries containing UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment sequences (--, /**/)
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications
• Anomalous network connections to the RISWEB application from untrusted sources

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns
• Enable detailed logging on the RISWEB application and database to capture suspicious query activity
• Monitor for unusual data access patterns or bulk data retrieval operations
• Implement network-level monitoring for connections to RISWEB from unauthorized IP ranges

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for SQL error messages in application logs that may indicate injection attempts
• Establish baseline database query patterns and alert on deviations
• Monitor database user activity for unauthorized data access or privilege escalation
• Review web server access logs for requests containing SQL metacharacters in URL parameters

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-26264

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to RISWEB instances using firewall rules or network segmentation
• Implement authentication requirements on all application endpoints, especially the vulnerable query function
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules in front of RISWEB
• Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation and assess potential data exposure

Patch Information

Organizations using EBM Technologies RISWEB should contact the vendor directly for patch availability and remediation guidance. Refer to the TWCert Security Advisory for additional details on this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement network-level access controls to limit RISWEB access to trusted IP addresses only
• Place RISWEB behind a reverse proxy with WAF capabilities to filter malicious requests
• If possible, disable or restrict access to the vulnerable query function until a patch is available
• Implement database-level access controls to limit the permissions of the RISWEB database user

# Example: Restrict access to RISWEB using iptables
# Only allow access from trusted network ranges
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP