CVE-2025-40887 Overview
CVE-2025-40887 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Alert functionality in Nozomi Networks CMC and Guardian products. The flaw stems from improper validation of an input parameter processed by the web application. An authenticated user with limited privileges can inject arbitrary SELECT SQL statements against the backend database management system. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read data they are not authorized to access, including configuration details, operational metadata, or other records stored by the application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).
Critical Impact
Authenticated low-privilege attackers can execute arbitrary SELECT queries against the application database, exposing confidential data stored by CMC and Guardian deployments monitoring OT and industrial networks.
Affected Products
- Nozomi Networks CMC (Central Management Console)
- Nozomi Networks Guardian
- Deployments exposing the vulnerable Alert functionality to authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-07 - CVE-2025-40887 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-40887
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Alert functionality of the Nozomi Networks web application. The application accepts an input parameter from authenticated users and forwards it to the database layer without proper sanitization or parameterized query handling. Attackers controlling that parameter can break out of the intended SQL context and append arbitrary clauses to the generated query.
The issue is limited to SELECT statement execution according to the vendor advisory. This restricts the attacker to data read operations rather than modification or deletion. Confidentiality impact remains high because CMC and Guardian store sensitive operational data for industrial control system (ICS) and operational technology (OT) environments. Exploitation complexity is elevated by prerequisites noted in the CVSS 4.0 vector, including attack requirements and valid low-privilege credentials.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation on a parameter consumed by SQL query construction. The code path concatenates attacker-controlled input into a query string rather than binding the value as a parameter. This classic CWE-89 pattern allows injection of SQL metacharacters and query fragments that the DBMS executes with application privileges.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires authentication. An attacker with any valid account on the CMC or Guardian web interface can reach the Alert functionality and submit a crafted parameter value. The payload modifies the resulting SQL query to retrieve data from arbitrary tables accessible to the application database user. Because the application mediates database access, injected queries execute with the privileges granted to the web application's database role.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code is available at the time of publication. Refer to the Nozomi Networks Security Advisory NN-2025:8-01 for vendor-provided technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-40887
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax, UNION SELECT clauses, or SQL comment sequences (--, /*) in HTTP request parameters sent to Alert endpoints.
- Database query logs showing SELECT statements referencing tables outside the Alert feature's normal schema access patterns.
- Authenticated session activity from low-privilege accounts generating unusually large response payloads from Alert URLs.
Detection Strategies
- Enable verbose web application and database query logging on CMC and Guardian appliances, then alert on SQL metacharacters within parameters bound to the Alert functionality.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules targeting SQL injection patterns on the management interface of CMC and Guardian systems.
- Correlate authentication events with Alert endpoint access to identify low-privilege accounts probing the vulnerable parameter.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound data volumes from CMC and Guardian web interfaces for anomalies that may indicate data exfiltration via SQL injection.
- Audit database user activity for queries that deviate from the application's baseline table access patterns.
- Review authentication logs for new or dormant low-privilege accounts suddenly accessing the Alert functionality.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-40887
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed versions published in the Nozomi Networks Security Advisory NN-2025:8-01 as soon as maintenance windows allow.
- Restrict management interface access to trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or VPN segmentation.
- Review and remove unnecessary low-privilege accounts that could be abused to reach the vulnerable endpoint.
Patch Information
Nozomi Networks has published remediation guidance in advisory NN-2025:8-01. Administrators should consult the advisory for the specific fixed versions of CMC and Guardian and plan upgrades across all deployed appliances. Prioritize patching internet-exposed or multi-tenant deployments first.
Workarounds
- Enforce strict network segmentation to limit who can authenticate to the CMC and Guardian web interfaces.
- Rotate credentials and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) where supported to reduce the pool of accounts available for exploitation.
- Temporarily restrict access to the Alert functionality through reverse proxy rules until patches are applied.
# Example: restrict management interface access with iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.100.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
