CVE-2024-46542 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in Veritas Data Insight, a data governance and analytics product used to provide visibility and control over enterprise data. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing Application Administrators to inject malicious SQL code. This flaw exists in versions prior to 7.1.1, with version 6.3 explicitly affected. Since the exploit requires Application Administrator privileges, it is not remotely exploitable by unauthenticated users, but once exploited, it can lead to unauthorized disclosure and modification of sensitive data within the database. The vulnerability does not impact availability but compromises confidentiality and integrity significantly. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.5 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality and integrity. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet, and no official patches were linked at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in handling SQL inputs and the need for strict privilege management within enterprise applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to those using Veritas Data Insight version 6.3 or earlier in environments where Application Administrators have elevated privileges. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, including personal data protected under GDPR, potentially resulting in data breaches and regulatory penalties. The integrity of data used for compliance, auditing, and governance could be compromised, undermining trust in data-driven decision-making. Although availability is not affected, the confidentiality and integrity impacts can disrupt business operations and damage reputations. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure in Europe are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on data governance tools and the sensitivity of their data. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially if insider threats or compromised administrator accounts exist.

1. Upgrade Veritas Data Insight to version 7.1.1 or later as soon as the patch becomes available to address the vulnerability directly. 2. Until a patch is applied, restrict Application Administrator privileges to only trusted personnel and enforce the principle of least privilege. 3. Implement strong authentication and monitoring for accounts with administrative access to detect and prevent misuse. 4. Conduct regular audits of SQL queries and database logs to identify anomalous or unauthorized commands indicative of SQL injection attempts. 5. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or database activity monitoring tools that can detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns. 6. Educate administrators on secure handling of SQL inputs and the risks associated with elevated privileges. 7. Review and harden application code and configurations to minimize injection vectors, including parameterized queries and input validation where applicable.