CVE-2024-28942 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (specifically version 16.0.0, CU 12) involving an integer overflow or wraparound issue (CWE-190) within the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server. This vulnerability allows for remote code execution (RCE) without requiring privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as a user initiating a connection or query. The flaw arises from improper handling of integer values that can overflow, leading to memory corruption or unexpected behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating a high impact. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning exploitation can occur remotely over the network without prior authentication. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and rated critical enough to warrant immediate attention. The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. The vulnerability is rated with an exploitability level of unproven (E:U) and a remediation level of official fix available (RL:O), with a confirmed report confidence (RC:C). This vulnerability is particularly concerning because Microsoft SQL Server is widely used in enterprise environments for critical data storage and processing, and the OLE DB Driver is a common interface for database connectivity. Exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of database services.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-28942 could be significant due to the widespread deployment of Microsoft SQL Server 2022 in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and critical business information. The ability to execute code remotely without authentication increases the risk of large-scale attacks, including ransomware deployment or lateral movement within networks. Disruption of SQL Server services could cause operational downtime, affecting business continuity and service availability. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses. The requirement for user interaction may limit automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently interact with database applications or where automated processes initiate database connections. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

1. Immediate application of the official security update or patch from Microsoft once available is critical. Since no patch links are provided yet, organizations should monitor Microsoft’s security advisories and update management portals closely. 2. Restrict network access to SQL Server instances by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 3. Disable or restrict the use of the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server where possible, or replace it with alternative, less vulnerable data access methods. 4. Implement application-layer controls to validate and sanitize inputs that interact with SQL Server to reduce the risk of triggering the overflow condition. 5. Employ monitoring and anomaly detection tools to identify unusual database activity or unexpected user interactions that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct user awareness training to minimize risky interactions that could trigger the vulnerability, especially for users with database access. 7. Review and enforce the principle of least privilege for database access to limit the potential impact of a compromised account. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing SQL Server compromises, including backups and recovery procedures to minimize downtime and data loss.