CVE-2024-28928 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-121, found in the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider component of Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (GDR) version 14.0.0. This vulnerability enables remote code execution (RCE) when an attacker sends specially crafted requests to the vulnerable SQL Server instance. The flaw arises from improper handling of input data leading to a buffer overflow on the stack, which can overwrite control data and allow execution of arbitrary code. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of network (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). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability is critical due to the potential for complete system compromise. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2024 and published in July 2024. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies. The vulnerability affects only the 2017 GDR release of SQL Server, which is widely used in enterprise environments for database management and business-critical applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, data corruption, or complete system takeover, impacting business operations and potentially causing regulatory compliance violations under GDPR. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Microsoft SQL Server 2017 are particularly vulnerable. Disruption or compromise of SQL Server instances could lead to downtime, loss of customer trust, and financial losses. The requirement for user interaction slightly reduces the risk of automated widespread exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score demands urgent mitigation to prevent future attacks.

1. Immediately inventory all Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (GDR) instances in your environment to identify affected systems. 2. Restrict network access to SQL Server instances by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure only to trusted users and systems. 3. Monitor SQL Server logs and network traffic for unusual or suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content that could trigger the vulnerability, as user interaction is required for exploitation. 5. Apply vendor patches as soon as they become available; track Microsoft security advisories closely for updates addressing CVE-2024-28928. 6. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems with signatures targeting this vulnerability once available. 7. Implement robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize impact in case of successful exploitation. 8. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on SQL Server environments to validate security posture.