CVE-2025-46576 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) affecting ZTE's GoldenDB database product, specifically versions 6.1.03.09 and Lite7.2.01.01. The flaw lies in the permission management and access control mechanisms of GoldenDB, allowing attackers with some level of privileges (PR:L - low privileges) to manipulate requests in a way that bypasses intended privilege restrictions. This bypass enables unauthorized deletion of content within the database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). The scope of the vulnerability is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component without affecting other components or systems. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4, indicating a medium severity level. The impact affects integrity and availability (I:L, A:L) but not confidentiality (C:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on April 27, 2025, and was reserved shortly before on April 25, 2025. The root cause is improper privilege management, which is critical in database systems where access control is fundamental to data protection and operational stability. Attackers who have some level of access can escalate their capabilities to delete data, potentially causing data loss and service disruption.

For European organizations using ZTE GoldenDB versions 6.1.03.09 or Lite7.2.01.01, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data deletion, which can lead to data integrity loss and availability issues. This is particularly concerning for sectors relying on database availability and data accuracy, such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The ability to delete content without proper authorization could disrupt business operations, cause financial losses, and damage reputations. Although confidentiality is not directly impacted, the loss or alteration of data can indirectly affect compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, especially if data integrity is compromised or recovery processes expose sensitive information. The medium severity score suggests that while exploitation is feasible, it requires some level of privilege, limiting the attack surface to insiders or attackers who have already gained limited access. However, the lack of user interaction and remote exploitability increases the risk of automated or scripted attacks once initial access is obtained.

1. Immediate inventory and identification of all ZTE GoldenDB instances, specifically versions 6.1.03.09 and Lite7.2.01.01, within the organization’s environment. 2. Restrict access to GoldenDB management interfaces and APIs to trusted administrators and systems only, employing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. 3. Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) policies and regularly audit user privileges to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, minimizing the risk of privilege escalation. 4. Monitor database logs and access patterns for unusual deletion requests or privilege escalation attempts, employing anomaly detection tools tailored for database activity. 5. Establish and test robust backup and recovery procedures to quickly restore deleted content in case of exploitation. 6. Engage with ZTE for official patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious privilege bypass attempts. 8. Conduct security awareness training for administrators and users with access to GoldenDB to recognize and report suspicious activities. 9. If possible, isolate vulnerable GoldenDB instances from critical production environments until mitigations or patches are applied.