CVE-2021-38734 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in SEMCMS SHOP version 1.1, specifically exploitable via the Ant_Menu.php script. SQL Injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate backend databases. In this case, the vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands remotely over the network without any user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database, enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, or even execute administrative operations on the database server. The CVSS score of 9.8 (critical) reflects the high impact and ease of exploitation. Although no official patch links are provided, the vulnerability was published on October 28, 2022, and is recognized by CISA, indicating its seriousness. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the low complexity and lack of required privileges make it a prime target for attackers. The lack of detailed vendor or product information limits the scope of direct vendor mitigation guidance, but the vulnerability clearly affects the SEMCMS SHOP e-commerce platform, which is used to manage online shopping sites. Attackers exploiting this flaw could compromise customer data, payment information, and disrupt e-commerce operations.

For European organizations using SEMCMS SHOP v1.1, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of customer and transactional data, potentially leading to data breaches involving personal and payment information. Integrity of the database could be compromised, allowing attackers to alter product listings, prices, or order details, which could damage business reputation and lead to financial losses. Availability could also be impacted if attackers delete or corrupt critical data, causing downtime and loss of sales. Given the critical severity and remote exploitability without authentication, attackers could target European e-commerce businesses to conduct fraud, steal intellectual property, or disrupt operations. Regulatory implications under GDPR are also significant, as data breaches involving personal data must be reported and can result in heavy fines. The threat is particularly relevant for small to medium-sized enterprises that may lack robust security controls or timely patching processes.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of SEMCMS SHOP v1.1 and identify any instances of Ant_Menu.php or related modules. If possible, upgrade to a patched version once available or apply vendor-provided fixes. In absence of official patches, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting Ant_Menu.php. Employ input validation and parameterized queries to sanitize all user inputs in the affected scripts. Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and remediate other potential injection points. Monitor logs for suspicious SQL query patterns or abnormal database activity. Restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary to limit the impact of any successful injection. Additionally, implement network segmentation to isolate critical backend databases from direct internet exposure. Regularly back up databases to enable recovery in case of data corruption or deletion. Finally, raise awareness among development and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response.