CVE-2024-40614 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in EGroupware, an open-source groupware and collaboration platform widely used for managing contacts, calendars, and project information. The flaw exists in versions prior to 23.1.20240624 and specifically affects the ajax_get_rows method within the Nextmatch widget, which handles sorting operations for the Address Book and InfoLog modules. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of the ORDER BY clause parameter (sort.id), allowing authenticated users to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This injection can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in the backend database, compromising confidentiality. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. While the vulnerability does not impact data integrity or availability directly, the exposure of confidential information poses significant risks. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no official patches were linked at the time of disclosure, although an updated version is referenced. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

For European organizations, the impact centers on potential unauthorized access to sensitive contact and project information managed within EGroupware. This could lead to data breaches involving personal data, internal communications, or business-critical information, raising compliance concerns under GDPR and other data protection regulations. The requirement for authentication limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but the low privilege needed increases risk from regular users or attackers who gain basic access. The exposure of confidential data can damage organizational reputation, lead to financial penalties, and facilitate further attacks. Organizations relying heavily on EGroupware for collaboration, especially in sectors like government, healthcare, and finance, face heightened risks. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but underscores the need for proactive remediation.

Organizations should monitor for the official release of EGroupware version 23.1.20240624 or later that addresses this vulnerability and apply updates promptly. Until patches are available, restrict access to the Address Book and InfoLog modules to trusted users only and enforce strong authentication and session management controls. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the sort.id parameter. Conduct regular audits of user privileges to minimize the number of users with access to vulnerable functionality. Additionally, review and harden database permissions to limit the impact of potential SQL injection. Employ monitoring and alerting for unusual database queries or access patterns. Educate users about the risks of credential compromise to reduce insider threat vectors.