CVE-2025-47178: Configuration Manager 2503 SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47178 Overview

CVE-2025-47178 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Microsoft Configuration Manager 2503. This security flaw arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing an authorized attacker with adjacent network access to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments that rely on Microsoft Configuration Manager for endpoint management and software deployment.

Critical Impact

An authorized attacker on an adjacent network can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to execute code, potentially compromising the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of managed systems and sensitive configuration data.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Configuration Manager 2503

Discovery Timeline

• July 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-47178 published to NVD
• July 23, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47178

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The flaw exists within Microsoft Configuration Manager 2503 and stems from insufficient input validation when processing user-supplied data that is subsequently incorporated into SQL queries.

An authenticated attacker positioned on an adjacent network segment can craft malicious input containing SQL metacharacters and commands. When this input is processed by the vulnerable component without proper sanitization, the injected SQL statements are executed against the backend database with the privileges of the application's database connection.

The attack requires the adversary to have low-level privileges and network adjacency to the target system. No user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing the attacker to read, modify, or delete sensitive configuration data, manipulate managed endpoints, or pivot to additional systems within the enterprise environment.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-47178 is improper neutralization of special elements in user-controllable input before that input is incorporated into SQL queries. The vulnerable code path fails to implement adequate input validation, parameterized queries, or stored procedures, allowing attacker-controlled SQL syntax to modify the intended query logic.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability requires adjacent network access. An attacker must be authenticated with low-level privileges and positioned on the same network segment as the vulnerable Microsoft Configuration Manager instance. From this position, the attacker can submit specially crafted input containing SQL injection payloads. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction and can be exploited directly against the affected service.

The attacker exploits this vulnerability by injecting SQL commands through input fields or parameters that are improperly handled by the application. The injected statements are then executed against the backend database, enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the database operations.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47178

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages or database exceptions in Configuration Manager logs indicating malformed queries
• Unexpected database queries containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or UNION statements
• Anomalous network traffic from adjacent network segments targeting Configuration Manager services
• Unauthorized changes to Configuration Manager database records or configurations

Detection Strategies

• Implement database activity monitoring to detect suspicious SQL queries with injection patterns
• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
• Enable verbose logging on Microsoft Configuration Manager and monitor for SQL-related errors
• Utilize SIEM correlation rules to identify potential SQL injection attempts against Configuration Manager

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor Configuration Manager application and database logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Establish baseline behavior for SQL queries and alert on deviations indicating injection attacks
• Track authentication events and correlate with unusual database activity from the same sessions
• Review network traffic logs for suspicious requests originating from adjacent network segments

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47178

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the security update from Microsoft as soon as it becomes available for Configuration Manager 2503
• Implement network segmentation to restrict adjacent network access to Configuration Manager services
• Review and restrict user privileges to minimize the potential impact of exploitation
• Enable enhanced logging and monitoring for Configuration Manager components
• Consider implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to filter SQL injection patterns

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory for detailed patch information and apply the recommended security updates to affected Microsoft Configuration Manager 2503 installations.

Workarounds

• Implement strict network access controls to limit adjacent network connectivity to Configuration Manager services
• Deploy input validation filters at the network perimeter to block common SQL injection patterns
• Restrict database account privileges used by Configuration Manager to the minimum necessary
• Consider temporarily isolating Configuration Manager systems from untrusted adjacent network segments until patching is complete
• Enable database auditing to detect and alert on suspicious query patterns

# Example: Network segmentation configuration to restrict adjacent access
# Implement firewall rules to limit source networks that can reach Configuration Manager
# Consult your organization's firewall documentation for specific syntax

# Example Windows Firewall rule concept (adjust for your environment):
# netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Restrict ConfigMgr Access" dir=in action=block protocol=tcp localport=443 remoteip=<untrusted_adjacent_subnet>