Detect BerriAI LiteLLM SQL Injection Exploitation (CVE-2026-42208) in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation attempts targeting a SQL injection vulnerability in BerriAI LiteLLM (CVE-2026-42208, CWE-89). LiteLLM is a widely deployed LLM proxy/gateway; successful exploitation allows unauthenticated or authenticated attackers to manipulate backend database queries, potentially exfiltrating API keys, user data, model configurations, and spend tracking records. This CVE is listed on the CISA KEV catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild.
MITRE ATT&CK
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT sourceip, destinationport, URL, 'HTTP User Agent Header'(payload) AS user_agent, QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name, starttime, payload
FROM events
WHERE LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Apache HTTP Server', 'Nginx', 'IBM DataPower Gateway', 'Palo Alto Networks Firewall')
AND (
URL IMATCHES '(?i).*(key|user|spend|model|team|chat/completions).*'
)
AND (
URL IMATCHES "(?i).*('+\s*OR\s*'|UNION\s+SELECT|--\s|'\s*;|1=1|0x27|%27).*"
OR UTF8(payload) IMATCHES "(?i).*('+\s*OR\s*'|UNION\s+SELECT|--\s|';--|1\s*=\s*1).*"
)
AND starttime > NOW() - 86400000
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LIMIT 500QRadar AQL query identifying SQL injection patterns in HTTP traffic directed at LiteLLM-specific URL paths, inspecting both the URL and raw payload for common SQLi markers.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Authorized vulnerability scans from internal security teams
- API gateway health checks with parameterized test payloads
- Prompt injection research traffic that mimics SQLi patterns
- Third-party integrations with non-standard URL encoding
Other platforms for CVE-2026-42208
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Error-Based SQL Injection on LiteLLM /key/info Endpoint
Expected signal: HTTP 500 or 422 response from LiteLLM; database error message in application logs; WAF alert if deployed
- Test 2UNION SELECT Injection Attempt on /user/info Endpoint
Expected signal: HTTP 500 or data leak in response body; PostgreSQL logs show UNION SELECT statement; network proxy logs capture full URL with UNION payload
- Test 3Time-Based Blind SQL Injection via LiteLLM /spend/logs
Expected signal: Response time >= 5 seconds; PostgreSQL slow query log entry for pg_sleep; application logs show extended request duration
- Test 4POST Body SQL Injection to LiteLLM /key/generate
Expected signal: HTTP 400/500 with SQL error in response; application log shows malformed query; SIEM alert on POST body containing OR 1=1
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-42208 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.