CVE-2025-47997 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-362 (Race Condition) affecting Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (GDR) version 14.0.0. The issue stems from improper synchronization when multiple processes concurrently access shared resources within the SQL Server environment. This race condition can be exploited by an attacker with authorized access to the SQL Server to cause unintended behavior that leads to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information over the network. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to have some level of privileges (PR:L). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the high confidentiality impact (C:H), no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N), and the fact that exploitation can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N). The flaw is significant because it allows leakage of potentially sensitive data from the database without altering data or causing denial of service, which can be leveraged for further attacks or data breaches. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability has been officially published and reserved by Microsoft. The race condition nature means that the flaw arises from timing issues in concurrent operations, which can be difficult to detect and reproduce but can be exploited reliably once understood. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in database management systems to prevent unauthorized data exposure.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-47997 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in Microsoft SQL Server 2017 databases. This can include personal data, intellectual property, financial records, or other confidential information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The confidentiality breach could lead to reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust. Since the vulnerability requires authorized access, insider threats or compromised credentials pose a significant risk vector. The lack of impact on integrity and availability means that data manipulation or service disruption is not a direct concern, but information leakage alone can facilitate further attacks such as phishing, fraud, or targeted intrusions. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and regulatory scrutiny. The medium severity score suggests that while the threat is serious, it is not as urgent as critical vulnerabilities, but timely mitigation is essential to prevent exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks.

1. Monitor Microsoft’s official channels closely for patches addressing CVE-2025-47997 and apply updates promptly once available to eliminate the race condition. 2. Restrict SQL Server access strictly to authorized personnel using the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk of exploitation by insiders or compromised accounts. 3. Implement robust authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for SQL Server access to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. 4. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit SQL Server exposure to trusted internal networks and reduce attack surface. 5. Conduct regular audits and monitoring of SQL Server logs to detect unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts indicative of exploitation. 6. Use database activity monitoring (DAM) tools to provide real-time alerts on suspicious concurrent operations or race condition exploitation attempts. 7. Educate database administrators and security teams about the risks of race conditions and the importance of synchronization in concurrent environments. 8. Consider deploying application-layer encryption for sensitive data stored in SQL Server to mitigate the impact of potential data leakage. 9. Review and harden SQL Server configuration settings to minimize unnecessary services or features that could be leveraged in attacks. 10. Develop and test incident response plans specifically addressing data disclosure scenarios to ensure rapid containment and remediation.