CVE-2025-12409 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in Google Cloud Looker Studio, a business intelligence and data visualization platform that integrates with BigQuery data sources. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL queries. The attack scenario involves an adversary creating a malicious Looker Studio report with native functions enabled. When a victim user accesses this report, the injected SQL commands execute with the victim's BigQuery permissions, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability affects versions prior to the patch released on July 7, 2025. Exploitation requires the victim to have access to the malicious report and involves user interaction, but the attack complexity is low and can be performed remotely. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data within BigQuery, as attackers can exfiltrate or alter data without direct access to the database credentials. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of Looker Studio in enterprise environments. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, partial privileges required, user interaction needed, and high impact on confidentiality and integrity. This vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and secure handling of SQL commands in data visualization tools that interface with backend databases.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data stored in BigQuery and accessed via Looker Studio. Organizations relying on Looker Studio for business intelligence, reporting, and data analytics could face unauthorized data disclosure or manipulation if users access malicious reports. This could lead to data breaches involving personal data, intellectual property, or strategic business information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The attack requires user interaction, which may limit widespread exploitation but targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could increase risk. The impact is particularly critical for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies. Additionally, compromised data integrity could affect decision-making processes and operational reliability. The vulnerability could also damage organizational reputation and lead to regulatory penalties. Given the integration of Looker Studio with Google Cloud services, the threat extends to any European entity using these cloud platforms for data analytics and reporting.

1. Immediately verify that all Looker Studio instances are updated to the patched version released on July 7, 2025. 2. Restrict sharing of Looker Studio reports to trusted and verified users only, minimizing exposure to potentially malicious reports. 3. Disable native functions in Looker Studio reports unless absolutely necessary, as enabling them increases attack surface. 4. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on BigQuery datasets to detect unusual query patterns or data access anomalies. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening reports from untrusted sources and encourage vigilance against phishing attempts. 6. Employ network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) that can detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting Looker Studio endpoints. 7. Regularly audit Looker Studio configurations and BigQuery permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 8. Monitor security advisories from Google Cloud for any updates or additional patches related to this vulnerability. 9. Consider implementing data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized data exfiltration. 10. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on Looker Studio and its integration with BigQuery to identify residual risks.