CVE-2024-28912 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) affecting Microsoft SQL Server 2022, specifically version 16.0.0 (CU 12). The vulnerability resides in the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server, which is used to facilitate database connectivity and operations. This flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring prior authentication (PR:N), though user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The vulnerability is exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), meaning an attacker can trigger the flaw remotely with relative ease. Successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of the SQL Server instance, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The scope is unchanged (S:U), indicating the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component and does not extend beyond it. The exploitability is rated as official (RL:O) with confirmed reports (RC:C), although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. The vulnerability was published on April 9, 2024, and was reserved on March 13, 2024. The absence of patch links suggests that remediation may still be pending or in progress. Given the critical role of SQL Server in enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where SQL Server is exposed to untrusted networks or where user interaction can be induced. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain remote code execution capabilities, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-28912 could be severe due to the widespread use of Microsoft SQL Server 2022 in various sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. A successful exploit could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation or destruction of critical databases, and disruption of business operations. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised. Additionally, the potential for remote code execution without authentication increases the risk of large-scale attacks, including ransomware deployment or espionage. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where social engineering or phishing can be used to induce the necessary interaction. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high CVSS score indicates that threat actors may prioritize developing exploits soon. European organizations with internet-facing SQL Server instances or those that allow remote connections to SQL Server should consider this vulnerability a critical threat to their cybersecurity posture.

1. Immediate assessment and inventory of all Microsoft SQL Server 2022 instances, specifically version 16.0.0 (CU 12), to identify vulnerable systems. 2. Apply any available security updates or patches from Microsoft as soon as they are released; monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for patch announcements related to this CVE. 3. Restrict network exposure of SQL Server instances by limiting access to trusted internal networks and using firewalls or network segmentation to block unauthorized external access. 4. Disable or restrict the use of the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server where possible, or configure it to minimize exposure to untrusted inputs. 5. Implement strict access controls and monitoring for SQL Server, including logging and alerting on unusual activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of user interaction that could trigger exploitation. 7. Employ application-layer gateways or proxies that can inspect and filter SQL Server traffic to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. 8. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability scanning focused on SQL Server environments to validate the effectiveness of mitigations and identify any residual risks. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential exploitation scenarios of this vulnerability to enable rapid containment and recovery.