CVE-2025-62849 is an SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89 that affects QNAP Systems Inc.'s QTS operating system, specifically versions 5.2.x. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through vulnerable input fields, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or command execution on the affected NAS devices. The attack vector is network-based with no required privileges, but user interaction is necessary, such as visiting a crafted URL or submitting malicious input. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high potential impact, as attackers could manipulate or exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or gain persistent access. The vendor has released patches in QTS 5.2.7.3297 build 20251024 and later, including QuTS hero variants. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the medium CVSS score of 5.2 reflects moderate ease of exploitation combined with significant impact. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction, which somewhat limits exploitation scope but still poses a considerable risk, especially in environments where NAS devices are exposed or accessed by multiple users. Given QNAP's widespread use in enterprise and SMB environments for storage and backup, this vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise critical data or disrupt operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62849 can be significant due to the prevalent use of QNAP NAS devices in both private and public sectors for data storage, backup, and file sharing. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, data corruption, or service disruption, affecting business continuity and potentially leading to data breaches involving sensitive or regulated information. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on QNAP NAS for critical data storage are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability’s ability to execute unauthorized commands could also facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be used to trigger exploitation, raising the threat level in environments with less stringent user awareness. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the medium severity and potential impact necessitate urgent patching and protective measures.

1. Immediately upgrade all QNAP QTS devices to version 5.2.7.3297 build 20251024 or later, or apply the corresponding patches for QuTS hero variants. 2. Restrict network access to QNAP management interfaces by implementing firewall rules or VPN access, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate NAS devices from general user networks, reducing the risk of exploitation via user interaction. 4. Enhance user awareness training focused on phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of triggering the vulnerability. 5. Monitor network traffic and device logs for unusual SQL queries or command execution attempts indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Disable or limit unnecessary services and interfaces on QNAP devices to reduce the attack surface. 7. Regularly audit and review user permissions on NAS devices to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 8. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing QNAP management interfaces to add an additional layer of security.