CVE-2024-28911 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) found in Microsoft SQL Server 2019, specifically in the OLE DB Driver component. This vulnerability affects version 15.0.0 (CU 25) of SQL Server 2019. The flaw arises from improper handling of memory buffers within the OLE DB Driver, which can be remotely triggered by an unauthenticated attacker over the network. Exploitation requires user interaction, likely in the form of sending crafted queries or connection requests that exploit the buffer overflow condition. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution (RCE) with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (high), reflecting the vulnerability's network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (April 9, 2024). The vulnerability was reserved on March 13, 2024, and has been publicly disclosed with enriched analysis by CISA. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may be pending or not yet publicly available at the time of this report. Given the critical role of Microsoft SQL Server in enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, compromise sensitive data, disrupt database availability, or pivot within internal networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-28911 could be substantial due to the widespread use of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 in critical infrastructure, financial institutions, government agencies, and large enterprises. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, causing legal and financial repercussions. The ability to execute code remotely without authentication increases the risk of large-scale attacks, including ransomware deployment or data exfiltration. Disruption of database services could affect business continuity, especially in sectors relying heavily on real-time data processing such as banking, healthcare, and manufacturing. The high integrity impact means attackers could alter or corrupt data, undermining trust in business operations and reporting. Additionally, availability impact could result in denial of service, affecting customer-facing applications and internal processes. The requirement for user interaction slightly reduces the risk of fully automated mass exploitation but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where SQL Server is exposed to external networks or where phishing/social engineering could be used to induce interaction.

1. Immediate deployment of any available security updates or patches from Microsoft once released is critical. Monitor official Microsoft security advisories closely. 2. Restrict network exposure of SQL Server instances by limiting access to trusted internal networks and using firewalls to block unauthorized inbound connections, especially from the internet. 3. Implement network segmentation to isolate SQL Server hosts from less secure network zones. 4. Employ application-layer filtering and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and block suspicious OLE DB traffic patterns or malformed requests targeting SQL Server. 5. Enforce the principle of least privilege on SQL Server accounts and services to minimize potential damage from exploitation. 6. Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. 7. Regularly audit and monitor SQL Server logs for unusual activities or failed connection attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or database activity monitoring tools that can provide additional layers of defense. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing SQL Server compromise scenarios to enable rapid containment and recovery. 10. Evaluate the necessity of exposing SQL Server OLE DB interfaces externally and disable or restrict them if not required.