CVE-2026-24713 Overview
CVE-2026-24713 is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability affecting Apache IoTDB, a popular time-series database management system designed for Internet of Things (IoT) data. This vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to exploit insufficient validation of user-supplied input via network-accessible interfaces, potentially leading to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, unauthorized modifications, and service disruption.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially achieve full system compromise through network-based exploitation, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Apache IoTDB deployments.
Affected Products
- Apache IoTDB versions 1.0.0 through 1.3.6
- Apache IoTDB versions 2.0.0 through 2.0.6
- Organizations using Apache IoTDB for IoT data management and time-series analytics
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-09 - CVE-2026-24713 published to NVD
- 2026-03-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-24713
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) combined with expression language injection weaknesses (CWE-917). Apache IoTDB fails to properly sanitize and validate user-controlled input before processing, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that the application processes as trusted data.
The network-based attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for internet-facing IoTDB deployments. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of confidentiality (unauthorized data access), integrity (data manipulation), and availability (service disruption).
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient input validation in Apache IoTDB's request handling mechanisms. The application fails to implement proper boundary checks and sanitization routines for incoming data, particularly around expression language processing components. This allows specially crafted input to bypass intended security controls and execute in unintended contexts.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can send maliciously crafted requests to an exposed Apache IoTDB instance. The low attack complexity means exploitation can be achieved with minimal technical expertise once the attack methodology is understood.
The vulnerability involves expression language injection (CWE-917), where attacker-controlled input is evaluated as code or commands by the application's expression evaluation engine. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, unauthorized data access, or denial of service conditions depending on the specific injection context. For detailed technical information, refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-24713
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed requests to Apache IoTDB endpoints containing expression language syntax
- Unexpected query patterns or data access attempts from unknown sources
- Anomalous process spawning or network connections originating from IoTDB processes
- Evidence of unauthorized data extraction or modification in IoTDB logs
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Apache IoTDB access logs for requests containing suspicious expression language patterns or injection attempts
- Implement network-level detection rules for malformed or oversized requests targeting IoTDB ports
- Deploy application-layer firewalls with rules to detect and block expression injection payloads
- Utilize SentinelOne Singularity platform to detect and prevent exploitation attempts and post-exploitation activities
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on Apache IoTDB instances to capture detailed request information
- Establish baseline network traffic patterns for IoTDB deployments to detect anomalies
- Monitor system resources for unexpected CPU or memory usage indicative of exploitation
- Configure alerts for authentication failures and access from unauthorized IP addresses
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-24713
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache IoTDB to version 1.3.7 or 2.0.7 immediately to address this vulnerability
- Restrict network access to Apache IoTDB instances using firewall rules and network segmentation
- Implement authentication and authorization controls if not already in place
- Review access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts prior to patching
Patch Information
Apache has released patched versions that address this vulnerability. Users running Apache IoTDB versions 1.0.0 through 1.3.6 should upgrade to version 1.3.7. Users running versions 2.0.0 through 2.0.6 should upgrade to version 2.0.7. For additional details, see the Openwall OSS Security Update.
Workarounds
- Isolate Apache IoTDB instances from untrusted networks and the public internet
- Implement a reverse proxy with input validation and request filtering capabilities
- Apply network-level access controls to limit connections to trusted sources only
- Consider temporary service suspension for critical systems until patches can be applied
# Example: Restrict network access to Apache IoTDB using iptables
# Allow only trusted IP ranges to connect to IoTDB default port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6667 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 6667 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
