CVE-2022-40839 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability identified in the NdkAdvancedCustomizationFields version 3.5.0. This vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'height' and 'width' parameters, which are susceptible to injection of malicious SQL code. Because the vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers over a network (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), it allows direct access to the backend database without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability specifically impacts confidentiality, enabling attackers to exfiltrate sensitive database information. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the high impact on confidentiality with no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which corresponds to SQL injection flaws. Although the vendor and product details are not specified, the presence of this vulnerability in a customization fields component suggests it could be part of a web application or content management system extension. No patches or known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (November 1, 2022), but the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of SQL injection vulnerabilities warrant immediate attention.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data stored in affected databases. Attackers exploiting this flaw can extract personal data, intellectual property, or other critical business information, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors, including opportunistic attackers and advanced persistent threats. Organizations relying on web applications or platforms that incorporate NdkAdvancedCustomizationFields or similar modules are particularly vulnerable. The impact is heightened for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions within Europe. Additionally, the lack of available patches means organizations must rely on alternative mitigation strategies until official fixes are released.

1. Immediate code review and input validation: Organizations should audit the usage of 'height' and 'width' parameters in their web applications, ensuring that all inputs are properly sanitized and validated against expected data types and ranges. 2. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements: Refactor database interaction code to use parameterized queries to prevent injection of malicious SQL code. 3. Web Application Firewall (WAF) deployment: Configure WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable parameters. 4. Network segmentation and access controls: Limit exposure of vulnerable web applications to the internet where possible, restricting access to trusted networks. 5. Monitor logs and network traffic: Implement enhanced monitoring to detect unusual database queries or data exfiltration attempts. 6. Engage with vendors or developers: Seek updates or patches from the software maintainers and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider temporary disabling or restricting functionality related to the vulnerable parameters if feasible until a patch is applied.