CVE-2025-61943 is a SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, discovered in AVEVA Process Optimization's Captive Historian component. This vulnerability allows an authenticated user with standard Process Optimization privileges to tamper with SQL queries. By exploiting this flaw, the attacker can escalate privileges within the SQL Server environment, executing arbitrary code with administrative rights on the SQL Server instance. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to have valid credentials with at least standard user privileges. The impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it can lead to full compromise of the SQL Server, exposing sensitive process data, altering historical records, or disrupting industrial control processes. The vulnerability was reserved in late 2025 and published in early 2026, with a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.4, indicating high severity. No public exploits are known yet, but the potential for damage is significant given the critical nature of the affected systems in industrial environments. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate risk mitigation through access control and monitoring.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, and process optimization sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Compromise of the SQL Server could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, manipulation of historical process records, and potential disruption of industrial processes. This could result in operational downtime, financial losses, regulatory non-compliance, and damage to reputation. Given the critical role of AVEVA Process Optimization in managing industrial data, exploitation could also impact safety systems and critical infrastructure. The vulnerability's ability to escalate privileges to SQL Server administrative level amplifies the risk of widespread system compromise and lateral movement within the network. Organizations in Europe with extensive use of AVEVA products must prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent potential industrial espionage or sabotage.

1. Immediately review and restrict user privileges within AVEVA Process Optimization to the minimum necessary, especially limiting Standard User accounts. 2. Implement strict network segmentation and access controls to isolate SQL Server instances hosting Captive Historian data. 3. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of SQL Server queries and user activities to detect anomalous behavior indicative of SQL injection attempts. 4. Apply any vendor-released patches or updates as soon as they become available. 5. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on SQL injection vulnerabilities within industrial control systems. 6. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or SQL injection detection tools where applicable to provide an additional layer of defense. 7. Educate and train system administrators and users about the risks of SQL injection and the importance of credential security. 8. Develop and test incident response plans tailored to industrial control system compromises involving SQL Server.