CVE-2025-62228 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-89, indicating improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, commonly known as SQL injection. This vulnerability affects Apache Flink CDC, a component of the Apache Flink ecosystem used for Change Data Capture (CDC) in streaming data pipelines. Versions from 3.0.0 up to 3.4.0 are vulnerable. The flaw allows an attacker with authenticated database access to inject malicious SQL via crafted identifiers such as database or table names. Since these identifiers are not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL commands, an attacker can manipulate the SQL query execution, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure, data modification, or other malicious database operations. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and no user interaction (UI:N), but requires privileges of a logged-in database user (PR:H). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but non-negligible (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). The vulnerability scope is limited to the component itself (SC:L), and the overall CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.1, indicating a medium severity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the Apache Software Foundation recommends upgrading to version 3.5.0, which contains the fix. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in database-related components, especially those handling dynamic SQL commands.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62228 can be significant in environments where Apache Flink CDC is used to manage real-time data streaming and change data capture. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access or modification of sensitive data within the database, potentially compromising data confidentiality and integrity. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and government services that rely heavily on real-time data processing. Although exploitation requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised credentials could facilitate attacks. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for further lateral movement within an organization’s network. Given the medium severity and the potential for data breaches, organizations may face regulatory and compliance risks under GDPR if personal data is exposed or altered. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure. Therefore, European entities using affected versions should consider this vulnerability a priority for remediation to maintain data security and regulatory compliance.

1. Upgrade Apache Flink CDC to version 3.5.0 or later, which contains the patch addressing this SQL injection vulnerability. 2. Restrict database user privileges to the minimum necessary, especially for users who can interact with Flink CDC, to reduce the risk of exploitation by limiting the scope of potential damage. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all identifiers and user-supplied data used in SQL commands within custom integrations or extensions to Flink CDC. 4. Monitor database logs and Flink CDC activity for unusual or suspicious queries that could indicate attempted exploitation. 5. Employ network segmentation and access controls to limit which users and systems can access the database and Flink CDC components. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on SQL injection and other injection flaws in data processing pipelines. 7. Educate developers and database administrators on secure coding practices and the risks of SQL injection, emphasizing the importance of patch management. 8. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or database activity monitoring tools that can detect and block SQL injection attempts in real-time.