CVE-2025-46337 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) found in the ADOdb PHP database abstraction library, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.22.9. ADOdb is widely used in PHP applications to facilitate database interactions across multiple database management systems, including PostgreSQL. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands when user-supplied data is passed to the pg_insert_id() function. This improper escaping allows an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL statements, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or partial denial of service. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The scope is high because the vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data, with a lesser impact on availability. The vulnerability has been patched in version 5.22.9 of ADOdb, but no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. Given the critical CVSS score of 10, this vulnerability represents a severe risk to any PHP application using vulnerable versions of ADOdb with PostgreSQL backends.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat, especially to those relying on PHP-based web applications that use ADOdb for database abstraction with PostgreSQL. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity of data could be compromised, affecting business operations, financial records, or customer information. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without authentication increases the risk of automated attacks and widespread exploitation. Critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce in Europe could face targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability, potentially disrupting services and causing financial losses. The cross-border nature of web applications means that attacks could originate from anywhere, complicating incident response and attribution.

European organizations should immediately audit their PHP applications to identify usage of ADOdb versions prior to 5.22.9, particularly those interfacing with PostgreSQL databases. Upgrading to ADOdb version 5.22.9 or later is the primary and most effective mitigation. Where immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data passed to database functions, especially pg_insert_id(). Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting SQL injection patterns can provide temporary protection. Additionally, monitoring database query logs for anomalous or unexpected SQL commands can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review and restrict database user privileges to minimize potential damage from successful injection attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on SQL injection vulnerabilities are recommended to ensure no residual risks remain.