CVE-2025-40886: Nozomi Networks CMC SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-40886 Overview

CVE-2025-40886 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] affecting Nozomi Networks CMC and Guardian products. The flaw resides in the Alert functionality, where an input parameter is not properly validated before being used in SQL queries. An authenticated user with limited privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements into the backend database. Successful exploitation exposes unauthorized data, alters database structure or content, and can affect database availability. Nozomi Networks published advisory NN-2025:7-01 to address the issue.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with low privileges can execute arbitrary SQL statements against the DBMS, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of stored data across CMC and Guardian deployments used in operational technology (OT) environments.

Affected Products

Nozomi Networks CMC (Central Management Console)
Nozomi Networks Guardian
Refer to the Nozomi Networks Security Advisory for exact version ranges

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-07 - CVE-2025-40886 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-40886

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the Alert functionality of the Nozomi Networks CMC and Guardian web application. User-supplied input to a specific alert parameter reaches a SQL query without proper validation or parameterization. This classic SQL Injection pattern [CWE-89] allows an authenticated attacker to break out of the intended query context and append or modify SQL statements. Because the injection executes with the privileges of the application's database user, the attacker can read, modify, or delete records that the authenticated web session should not otherwise reach.

CMC and Guardian are widely deployed for OT and ICS network visibility. Compromise of the underlying database can expose sensitive asset inventories, vulnerability findings, alert history, and network telemetry gathered from industrial environments.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command. The affected code path concatenates or interpolates an alert-related input value into a SQL statement instead of using parameterized queries or a strict allow-list validator. Any authenticated user with access to the alert feature can supply crafted input that alters the intended query semantics.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires an authenticated session with low privileges. The attacker interacts with the Alert functionality through the standard web interface or its underlying API. High attack complexity indicates that specific conditions or preparation are required for reliable exploitation. No user interaction from another user is required. See the Nozomi Networks Security Advisory for advisory-level technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-40886

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected SQL error messages, stack traces, or database exceptions logged by the CMC or Guardian web application around alert-related endpoints.
Authenticated sessions from low-privilege accounts issuing high volumes of requests to alert endpoints with unusual query parameters.
Anomalous database queries containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA originating from the application service account.
Access to database tables or columns that the acting web user does not normally interact with during standard alert workflows.

Detection Strategies

Enable and review application-layer audit logging for alert endpoints, focusing on request parameters and response status codes.
Deploy a web application firewall or reverse proxy with SQL Injection signatures in front of the CMC and Guardian management interfaces.
Correlate authenticated user activity with backend database query logs to identify low-privilege accounts triggering queries outside their normal profile.
Baseline the request patterns of typical alert consumers so that outliers in parameter length, character composition, or frequency stand out.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward CMC and Guardian web, application, and database logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for retention and correlation.
Alert on authentication events from low-privilege accounts that are quickly followed by errors or long-running queries in the DBMS.
Monitor administrative account creation, privilege changes, and unexpected schema modifications on the backend database.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-40886

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed versions of CMC and Guardian as documented in advisory NN-2025:7-01.
Restrict management interface access to a dedicated administrative network or VPN, blocking direct exposure to broader corporate or field networks.
Audit existing user accounts and remove or downgrade any accounts that do not require access to CMC or Guardian.
Rotate credentials for accounts that had access to the affected systems, particularly those with alert functionality permissions.

Patch Information

Nozomi Networks has released fixed versions of CMC and Guardian addressing CVE-2025-40886. Consult the vendor advisory NN-2025:7-01 for the specific fixed release numbers and upgrade procedures applicable to your deployment.

Workarounds

Limit access to the Alert functionality to trusted administrator accounts until patching is complete.
Place a web application firewall in front of CMC and Guardian and enable SQL Injection protection rulesets tuned to the application's expected parameters.
Enforce network segmentation so that only authorized management hosts can reach the CMC and Guardian web interfaces.
Increase logging verbosity on the application and database tiers to support forensic review during the mitigation window.

bash

# Example: restrict access to CMC/Guardian management interface with iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.20.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP