CVE-2025-42957 is a critical vulnerability identified in SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and On-Premise deployments, specifically affecting versions S4CORE 102 through 108. The vulnerability stems from improper control over the generation of code (CWE-94) within a function module exposed via Remote Function Call (RFC). An attacker possessing user-level privileges can exploit this flaw to inject arbitrary ABAP code into the system. This injection bypasses essential authorization checks, effectively creating a backdoor that can lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the SAP system by allowing unauthorized code execution, potentially enabling data exfiltration, manipulation of business processes, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.9 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, requiring only privileges equivalent to a normal user, no user interaction, and a scope change that affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the severity and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat to organizations using affected SAP S/4HANA versions. The vulnerability highlights the risk of insufficient input validation and authorization enforcement in critical enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which are central to business operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-42957 is substantial due to the widespread use of SAP S/4HANA in critical industries such as manufacturing, finance, logistics, and public sector services. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, financial records, and intellectual property, severely damaging confidentiality. Integrity could be compromised by unauthorized modification of business-critical data and processes, potentially causing operational disruptions and financial losses. Availability risks include system outages or denial of service caused by malicious code execution. Given SAP's integral role in supply chains and regulatory reporting, successful exploitation could also lead to compliance violations under GDPR and other European regulations, resulting in legal and reputational consequences. The vulnerability's ability to bypass authorization checks and execute arbitrary code means attackers could establish persistent footholds, escalate privileges, and move laterally within networks, amplifying the threat. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical CVSS score underscores the urgency for mitigation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-42957, European organizations should immediately assess their SAP S/4HANA environments for affected versions (S4CORE 102-108). Although no official patches are listed yet, organizations should monitor SAP Security Notes and advisories closely for forthcoming fixes. In the interim, restrict RFC access to trusted users and systems only, employing network segmentation and strict firewall rules to limit exposure. Implement rigorous user privilege management, ensuring that users have the minimum necessary permissions, and regularly audit user roles and authorizations. Enable and enhance logging and monitoring of RFC calls and ABAP code executions to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Employ SAP's security hardening guides and best practices, including disabling unused function modules and interfaces. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying suspicious code injections. Additionally, conduct targeted penetration testing and code reviews focusing on RFC interfaces and custom ABAP code to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. Finally, prepare incident response plans specific to SAP environments to respond swiftly if exploitation is detected.