CVE-2022-24772 is a cryptographic vulnerability identified in the JavaScript library 'node-forge' (also known as 'forge'), which is a native implementation of Transport Layer Security (TLS) in JavaScript. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.3.0 and relates specifically to the RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 signature verification process. The core issue is that the signature verification code does not properly check for trailing garbage bytes after decoding the DigestInfo ASN.1 structure. This improper verification allows an attacker to manipulate the signature by removing padding bytes and appending arbitrary garbage data, effectively forging a signature when a low public exponent is used in the RSA key. This flaw stems from CWE-347, which is the improper verification of cryptographic signatures. The vulnerability compromises the integrity verification mechanism of digital signatures, potentially allowing attackers to bypass signature validation and impersonate trusted entities or tamper with signed data. The issue was addressed in node-forge version 1.3.0, which includes proper validation to reject signatures containing trailing garbage bytes. There are currently no known workarounds, meaning that upgrading to the patched version is the primary remediation. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the vulnerability poses a theoretical risk especially in environments where node-forge is used for critical signature verification with RSA keys using low public exponents.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant in contexts where node-forge is used to verify digital signatures, particularly in web applications, secure communications, or cryptographic protocols relying on RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 signatures. The improper verification can lead to forged signatures, undermining the trust model of digital certificates, software updates, or authentication tokens. This could enable attackers to impersonate legitimate users or services, inject malicious code, or bypass security controls. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on secure digital signatures for transaction validation, identity verification, or data integrity are particularly at risk. The vulnerability affects confidentiality indirectly by enabling potential man-in-the-middle or impersonation attacks, integrity directly by allowing signature forgery, and availability if attackers disrupt services by injecting invalid data or triggering failures. Since node-forge is a JavaScript library, the vulnerability could affect both server-side (Node.js) and client-side applications, broadening the attack surface. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future targeted attacks, especially given the widespread use of JavaScript in European digital services.

1. Immediate upgrade of all node-forge dependencies to version 1.3.0 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Conduct a comprehensive inventory of applications and services using node-forge to identify affected systems. 3. Review cryptographic key configurations to avoid using low public exponents in RSA keys, as they increase exploitability. 4. Implement additional signature verification layers or use alternative, well-vetted cryptographic libraries for critical signature validation where feasible. 5. Monitor application logs and network traffic for anomalous signature verification failures or suspicious authentication attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Educate development teams about secure cryptographic practices and the importance of timely dependency updates. 7. For applications where immediate upgrade is not possible, consider isolating or restricting access to vulnerable components to reduce exposure. 8. Engage in threat intelligence sharing within industry sectors to stay informed about any emerging exploits related to this vulnerability.