CVE-2022-40120 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in Online Banking System v1.0, specifically exploitable via the 'search_term' parameter in the /net-banking/customer_transactions.php endpoint. SQL injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the database query logic. In this case, the vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without any user interaction or privileges. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with attack vector being network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, data modification, or complete system compromise, including theft of sensitive banking information, transaction manipulation, or denial of service. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise online banking platforms. The lack of vendor or product identification and absence of patch information suggest this may be a custom or less widely known banking system, which could complicate mitigation efforts and increase risk if deployed in production environments.

For European organizations, especially financial institutions and banks using this or similar online banking platforms, the impact could be severe. Exploitation could lead to massive breaches of customer financial data, loss of customer trust, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and financial losses due to fraudulent transactions. The integrity of transaction records could be compromised, undermining audit trails and compliance efforts. Availability impacts could disrupt banking services, affecting customer access and operational continuity. Given the critical nature of banking infrastructure in Europe and stringent regulatory oversight, exploitation of this vulnerability could have cascading effects on financial stability and consumer confidence. Additionally, the potential for cross-border financial fraud and money laundering increases the threat’s significance within the European context.

Immediate mitigation should include implementing rigorous input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate SQL injection risks in the affected parameter. Organizations should conduct thorough code audits of all database interaction points, especially those exposed to user input, to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection and prevention rules can provide a temporary protective layer. Monitoring database logs and application behavior for anomalous queries or access patterns is critical for early detection. Since no official patches are available, organizations should consider isolating or restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint until a secure fix or upgrade is deployed. Additionally, enforcing least privilege principles on database accounts and encrypting sensitive data at rest can reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and periodic penetration testing focused on injection flaws are recommended to prevent recurrence.