CVE-2024-22988 is a critical security vulnerability affecting ZKteco's ZKBio WDMS software versions prior to 9.0.2 Build 20250526. The vulnerability arises from the /files/backup/ component, which allows an unauthenticated attacker to download database backup files. The core issue is that the backup filenames are generated based on predictable timestamps, enabling attackers to guess or enumerate valid backup filenames and retrieve sensitive data without any authentication or user interaction. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which relates to improper control of generation of code or files, indicating that the backup files may contain sensitive information that should not be exposed publicly. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction needed (UI:N), and a scope unchanged (S:U). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning that exploitation could lead to full compromise of the affected system's data and potentially disrupt operations. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of the vulnerability make it a significant threat. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting further increases the risk for organizations using this software. ZKBio WDMS is a widely used workforce management and biometric access control system, often deployed in enterprise environments for physical security and attendance tracking, making the exposure of its database backups particularly sensitive.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-22988 could be severe. The unauthorized access to database backups may expose personally identifiable information (PII), biometric data, employee attendance records, and access control logs. This exposure can lead to privacy violations under GDPR, resulting in regulatory fines and reputational damage. Furthermore, attackers could leverage the stolen data to facilitate further attacks such as identity theft, social engineering, or unauthorized physical access to facilities. The integrity and availability of the workforce management system could also be compromised, disrupting business operations and security monitoring. Given the criticality of physical security in sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies across Europe, exploitation of this vulnerability could have cascading effects on operational continuity and compliance obligations.

European organizations using ZKBio WDMS should immediately verify their software version and upgrade to version 9.0.2 Build 20250526 or later once available. Until a patch is applied, organizations should restrict access to the /files/backup/ endpoint by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting, VPN access, or firewall rules to limit exposure to trusted internal networks only. Additionally, monitoring web server logs for unusual requests targeting the /files/backup/ path can help detect attempted exploitation. Organizations should also consider encrypting backup files and storing them securely offline to reduce risk. Implementing multi-factor authentication and strong access controls on the management interfaces of ZKBio WDMS can further reduce the attack surface. Finally, conducting a thorough audit of existing backups and access logs is recommended to identify any prior unauthorized access.