CVE-2025-41018 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in Sergestec's Exito version 8.0. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89) within the 'cat' parameter of the '/public.php' script. An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely without authentication or user interaction, sending crafted input to manipulate SQL queries executed by the application. This manipulation enables the attacker to perform unauthorized actions on the backend database, including data retrieval, insertion, modification, and deletion. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS 4.0 score of 9.3, reflecting its critical severity, with attack vector being network-based, no required privileges or user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Despite the absence of known exploits in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise data or disrupt services. Sergestec has not yet released patches for this issue, increasing the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability affects only version 8.0 of Exito, which is a product used in various sectors for database-driven applications. The improper input sanitization in the 'cat' parameter is the root cause, allowing SQL injection attacks that can lead to full database compromise.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-41018 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive data, data corruption or deletion, and potential disruption of critical services relying on the Exito platform. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity violations could undermine trust in business operations and data accuracy, while availability impacts could cause downtime affecting business continuity. Given the vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely, the attack surface is broad, increasing the likelihood of compromise. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure using Exito 8.0 are particularly at risk. The lack of available patches means that without mitigation, these organizations remain exposed to potential attacks that could result in data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruption.

Since no official patches are currently available for CVE-2025-41018, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. First, deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the 'cat' parameter in '/public.php'. Second, conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data, especially the 'cat' parameter, to neutralize malicious SQL syntax. Third, restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing the application from executing destructive SQL commands such as DROP or DELETE unless absolutely required. Fourth, monitor application logs and network traffic for unusual database query patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Fifth, consider isolating or segmenting the Exito application environment to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. Finally, maintain close communication with Sergestec for updates on patches and advisories, and plan for prompt application of official fixes once released.