CVE-2025-49215 is a high-severity post-authentication SQL injection vulnerability affecting Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption Policy Server version 6.0. The vulnerability arises from the use of inherently dangerous functions within the application’s codebase, specifically related to improper sanitization or validation of SQL queries after an attacker has gained low-privileged code execution on the target system. Exploiting this flaw allows an attacker to escalate privileges by injecting malicious SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or control over the encryption policy server. The vulnerability requires the attacker to first have some level of access to execute code with limited privileges, which means initial access vectors such as phishing, malware, or other exploitation methods must be leveraged before this vulnerability can be exploited. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-242, indicating the use of inherently dangerous functions that can lead to security issues if not properly handled. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, highlighting the importance of proactive mitigation and monitoring for affected organizations.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption Policy Server 6.0 to manage encryption policies and protect sensitive data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, allowing attackers to manipulate encryption policies, potentially decrypt sensitive information, or disrupt endpoint encryption management. This could result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), operational disruptions, and loss of trust. Given the critical role of endpoint encryption in securing corporate data, the compromise of the policy server could undermine the entire encryption strategy, exposing organizations to data theft and ransomware attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability’s network accessibility and low complexity of exploitation increase the risk of targeted attacks against European enterprises, particularly in sectors with high data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access to the Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption Policy Server to trusted administrators and internal networks only, using network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. 2. Implement strict monitoring and logging of all activities on the Policy Server to detect unusual SQL query patterns or privilege escalations. 3. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users with access to the Policy Server to reduce the risk of initial low-privileged code execution. 4. Conduct thorough vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify any initial access vectors that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. 5. Apply principle of least privilege to all accounts and services interacting with the Policy Server to minimize the impact of compromised credentials. 6. Stay alert for official patches or updates from Trend Micro and plan for rapid deployment once available. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or SQL injection detection/prevention tools tailored to the Policy Server environment to block malicious SQL payloads. 8. Educate IT and security teams on this specific vulnerability to ensure rapid incident response and containment if exploitation attempts are detected.