CVE-2025-47997 is a race condition vulnerability identified in Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (GDR), specifically version 14.0.0. The vulnerability arises due to improper synchronization during concurrent execution of shared resources within the SQL Server environment. This flaw allows an authorized attacker—someone with legitimate access privileges—to exploit the race condition to disclose sensitive information over the network. The root cause is a concurrency control weakness (CWE-362) where multiple threads or processes access shared data or resources without adequate synchronization, leading to inconsistent or unintended data exposure. The vulnerability does not affect the integrity or availability of the system but compromises confidentiality by allowing unauthorized data disclosure. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet, suggesting that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or configuration changes once available. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where SQL Server 2017 is used and where multiple concurrent database operations occur, increasing the risk of race conditions. Attackers with authorized access could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data, potentially bypassing intended access controls due to timing issues in resource handling.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-47997 can be significant, especially for enterprises relying heavily on Microsoft SQL Server 2017 for critical data processing and storage. The vulnerability enables information disclosure, which could lead to exposure of confidential business data, personally identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property. This is particularly concerning under the GDPR framework, where unauthorized data disclosure can result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that utilize SQL Server databases are at heightened risk. Since the vulnerability requires authorized access, insider threats or compromised credentials could be exploited to gain unauthorized data access. The network-based attack vector means that attackers do not need physical access but must have some level of network connectivity to the SQL Server instance. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not immediately critical, it poses a tangible risk that could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities to escalate impact. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits could emerge. European organizations must consider the potential for data breaches and compliance violations, emphasizing the need for timely mitigation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-47997 effectively, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach beyond generic patching advice. First, ensure that all SQL Server 2017 instances are updated with the latest security patches as soon as Microsoft releases them, monitoring official channels closely. Until patches are available, restrict network access to SQL Server instances using network segmentation, firewalls, and access control lists (ACLs) to limit exposure to only trusted and necessary users and systems. Implement strict privilege management by enforcing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users and applications have only the minimum required permissions to operate. Employ robust authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Monitor SQL Server logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or concurrent operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or database activity monitoring (DAM) tools that can detect and block suspicious concurrent access behaviors. Additionally, review and harden application code interacting with SQL Server to avoid triggering race conditions through improper concurrency handling. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on concurrency and race condition vulnerabilities. Finally, prepare an incident response plan that includes procedures for data breach notification in compliance with GDPR requirements.