CVE-2025-40888 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Command Line Interface (CLI) functionality of Nozomi Networks Guardian, a product widely used for industrial cybersecurity and operational technology (OT) network monitoring. The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in an input parameter, classified under CWE-89. An authenticated user with limited privileges can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary SELECT SQL statements against the database management system (DBMS) used by the web application component of Guardian. This unauthorized querying capability can expose sensitive data stored in the database, potentially including configuration details, user information, or operational data. The vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, limiting the impact to confidentiality breaches. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality (VC:H) but no impact on integrity or availability. No patches are currently listed, and no exploits have been observed in the wild, suggesting the vulnerability is newly disclosed and not yet weaponized. The vulnerability affects version '0' as listed, which likely indicates an initial or early release version, so organizations running early deployments should be particularly vigilant. Given Nozomi Guardian's role in critical infrastructure monitoring, exploitation could lead to significant information disclosure risks.

For European organizations, especially those operating critical infrastructure such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data exposure. The ability of an attacker with limited privileges to extract sensitive information could facilitate further attacks, including reconnaissance for lateral movement or targeted intrusions. Confidentiality breaches could compromise operational secrets or security configurations, undermining trust in OT security monitoring. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive data could lead to indirect operational disruptions or compliance violations under regulations like GDPR. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between the need for authentication and the high attack complexity, but the strategic importance of affected systems elevates the potential impact. European organizations relying on Nozomi Guardian for OT network visibility should consider this vulnerability a significant risk to their security posture.

1. Restrict CLI access strictly to trusted and trained personnel, implementing role-based access controls to minimize the number of users with privileges to interact with the CLI. 2. Monitor and audit CLI usage and database query logs for unusual or unauthorized SELECT queries that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Implement network segmentation to isolate the Nozomi Guardian management interfaces from general user networks, reducing exposure to potential attackers. 4. Employ input validation and sanitization at the application level where possible, and request the vendor to provide or prioritize a patch addressing the SQL injection flaw. 5. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the system to reduce the risk of compromised credentials being used to exploit this vulnerability. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on OT security tools to identify similar vulnerabilities proactively. 7. Stay informed on vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available.