CVE-2025-40887 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Alert functionality of Nozomi Networks Guardian, a cybersecurity product used for operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) security monitoring. The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in an input parameter, which allows an authenticated user with limited privileges to inject arbitrary SQL SELECT statements into the backend database queries. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89, indicating improper sanitization of SQL commands. The attacker does not require elevated privileges beyond authentication, nor user interaction, but must have at least limited access to the application. Exploiting this flaw can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in the database, potentially exposing operational or security-related information. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), partial authentication required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality (VC:H) with no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The affected version is listed as '0', which likely indicates an initial or specific release version of Guardian. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where Guardian monitors critical infrastructure, as data leakage could facilitate further attacks or espionage.

For European organizations, especially those operating critical infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and utilities sectors where Nozomi Networks Guardian is deployed, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data exposure. Attackers with limited access could extract sensitive operational data, security alerts, or configuration details, potentially undermining the confidentiality of industrial control environments. This could lead to increased risk of targeted attacks, espionage, or sabotage. The impact on data confidentiality is significant, though integrity and availability are not directly affected. Given the importance of OT security in Europe and regulatory requirements around data protection and critical infrastructure resilience, exploitation could result in compliance violations and reputational damage. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the public disclosure means attackers could develop exploits. Organizations relying on Guardian for security monitoring should consider this vulnerability a moderate threat that requires timely mitigation to prevent escalation.

1. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters in the Alert functionality to prevent SQL injection. 2. Apply the principle of least privilege by reviewing and restricting database user permissions used by the Guardian application to limit the scope of data accessible via SQL queries. 3. Monitor and audit authenticated user activities within the Guardian application to detect unusual query patterns or access attempts. 4. Segregate the Guardian management interface and database access to trusted networks only, reducing exposure to unauthorized users. 5. Engage with Nozomi Networks for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) or database activity monitoring tools that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on OT security tools to identify similar vulnerabilities proactively. 8. Educate users with access to Guardian about secure usage practices and the risks of SQL injection attacks.