CVE-2024-28930 is a high-severity remote code execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (CU 25), specifically related to the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server. The root cause is an integer underflow (CWE-191), which occurs when an arithmetic operation causes a value to wrap around below its minimum representable value. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring privileges or authentication, but requires user interaction. The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the ease of exploitation over the 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 known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical nature of SQL Server in enterprise environments and the potential for remote code execution. The vulnerability affects version 15.0.0 of SQL Server 2019 CU 25, which is widely deployed in enterprise databases worldwide. The integer underflow likely occurs during processing of certain inputs via the ODBC driver, leading to memory corruption or similar conditions that enable code execution.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is substantial. Microsoft SQL Server is extensively used across various sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing. Exploitation could lead to full compromise of database servers, resulting in data breaches, data manipulation, or denial of service. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, attackers could exfiltrate sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, manipulate critical business data, or disrupt essential services. The requirement for user interaction may limit automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users interact with untrusted data sources or applications. The lack of authentication requirement means that attackers can target exposed SQL Server instances directly over the network, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks, amplifying its impact. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation before active exploitation begins.

1. Immediate application of the latest security updates and patches from Microsoft once available is critical. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor Microsoft security advisories closely. 2. Restrict network exposure of SQL Server instances by implementing strict firewall rules to limit access only to trusted hosts and networks. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate database servers from general user networks and internet-facing systems. 4. Use application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block suspicious activities related to ODBC driver usage. 5. Monitor logs for unusual SQL Server or ODBC driver activity, including unexpected connections or queries that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted data sources or applications that might trigger the vulnerability. 7. Consider disabling or restricting ODBC driver usage where not essential, or applying least privilege principles to database access. 8. Implement multi-factor authentication and strong access controls around database administration to reduce the risk of lateral movement post-exploitation. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential SQL Server compromises to enable rapid containment and recovery.