CVE-2022-41532 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability identified in the Open Source SACCO Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the 'id' parameter of the endpoint /sacco_shield/ajax.php?action=delete_plan. This parameter is susceptible to SQL injection attacks, allowing an attacker with high privileges (PR:H) to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploiting this flaw could allow an attacker to manipulate or delete sensitive data, escalate privileges, or disrupt the availability of the SACCO Management System. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires authenticated access, which limits exploitation to users with some level of system access. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89, which corresponds to SQL injection, a common and critical web application security issue. No patches or fixes have been linked or published yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at this time. The SACCO Management System is typically used by Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to manage member accounts, loans, and financial transactions, making the confidentiality and integrity of data critical for operational and regulatory compliance.

For European organizations, particularly those operating SACCOs or similar cooperative financial institutions, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, including personal and financial information of members, which would violate GDPR and other data protection regulations. Data manipulation or deletion could disrupt financial operations, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. The requirement for authenticated access reduces the risk from external attackers but raises concerns about insider threats or compromised credentials. Given the financial nature of the system, the impact on availability could also affect member trust and operational continuity. Organizations relying on this open-source system without timely patching or mitigation are at heightened risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where SACCOs serve vulnerable or underserved populations.

European organizations using the Open Source SACCO Management System should immediately conduct a thorough review of user privileges to ensure that only trusted personnel have access to the system, minimizing the risk of insider exploitation. Implement strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Conduct input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements in the application code to eliminate SQL injection vectors, specifically sanitizing the 'id' parameter in the delete_plan action. If possible, isolate the SACCO Management System within a segmented network zone with strict access controls and monitor logs for unusual database queries or deletion activities. Regularly back up data securely to enable recovery in case of data manipulation or loss. Engage with the open-source community or developers to obtain or contribute patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, perform penetration testing focused on SQL injection to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.