CVE-2024-28938 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft SQL Server 2022, specifically affecting the ODBC Driver component for SQL Server version 16.0.0 (CU 12). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which corresponds to an out-of-bounds read flaw. This type of vulnerability occurs when the software reads data outside the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, potentially leading to memory corruption or leakage of sensitive information. In this case, the flaw exists in the Microsoft ODBC Driver used to facilitate communication between client applications and the SQL Server database engine. The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring any prior authentication (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as convincing a user to connect to a malicious SQL Server instance or execute a crafted query. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning exploitation can occur remotely over the network. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, including data theft, data manipulation, and denial of service. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the high risk posed by this vulnerability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed as of April 9, 2024, and is considered critical for organizations using the affected SQL Server version. The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects resources managed by the same security authority. Given the widespread use of Microsoft SQL Server in enterprise environments, this vulnerability presents a significant risk, especially in scenarios where users might interact with untrusted SQL Server instances or execute untrusted queries via ODBC connections.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-28938 could be severe. Microsoft SQL Server is widely deployed across various sectors including finance, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, enabling attackers to gain control over critical database servers. This could result in data breaches involving sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, financial loss, operational disruption, and reputational damage. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trigger the exploit, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, the high integrity and availability impact could disrupt business-critical applications relying on SQL Server, causing downtime and loss of service continuity. Given the interconnected nature of European IT infrastructure and the strategic importance of data confidentiality and integrity, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to compliance and operational resilience.

Apply the latest security updates and patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available for SQL Server 2022 CU 12 to remediate the vulnerability. Restrict and monitor ODBC driver usage, especially connections to untrusted or external SQL Server instances, to reduce exposure to malicious servers. Implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit SQL Server access only to trusted internal networks and authorized users. Educate users and administrators about the risks of interacting with untrusted SQL Server endpoints and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or queries that could trigger the vulnerability. Enable and review detailed logging and monitoring on SQL Server instances and ODBC connections to detect unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Use application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized code resulting from exploitation. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics tuned to detect anomalous ODBC traffic patterns related to this vulnerability. Regularly audit and update SQL Server configurations to follow security best practices, minimizing unnecessary exposure of database services.