CVE-2022-24796 is a critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability found in RaspberryMatic, an open-source operating system designed for managing HomematicIP and HomeMatic smart home IoT devices without cloud dependency. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation and sanitization in the file upload functionality of the WebUI interface. Specifically, the system fails to neutralize special shell metacharacters embedded in the HTTP query string during file uploads, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers with network access to the WebUI to inject arbitrary OS commands. These commands execute with root privileges, resulting in a complete compromise of the underlying system and all connected components. The affected versions range from 2.31.25.20180428 up to, but not including, 3.63.8.20220330. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command Injection). No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date, and no effective workarounds exist other than upgrading to version 3.63.8.20220330 or later. Due to the root-level execution and unauthenticated remote access, this vulnerability poses a severe threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected devices and potentially the broader smart home network environment they control.

For European organizations and consumers relying on RaspberryMatic for smart home automation, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk. Exploitation could lead to full system compromise, enabling attackers to manipulate IoT devices, disrupt home automation functions, or pivot to other networked systems. Given the root-level access, attackers could exfiltrate sensitive data, install persistent malware, or use compromised devices as footholds for broader network intrusions. The cloud-free nature of RaspberryMatic means that traditional cloud-based detection and mitigation mechanisms are unavailable, increasing reliance on local device security. This vulnerability could also undermine trust in smart home technologies, particularly in privacy-conscious European markets. Critical infrastructure or business environments using RaspberryMatic-controlled devices could face operational disruptions or data breaches, impacting service continuity and regulatory compliance under frameworks like GDPR.

The primary and only effective mitigation is to upgrade RaspberryMatic installations to version 3.63.8.20220330 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement a rigorous patch management process to identify and update all affected devices promptly. Network segmentation should be applied to isolate smart home or IoT devices from critical business networks, limiting attacker lateral movement in case of compromise. Access to the WebUI interface should be restricted via firewall rules or VPNs to trusted users only, minimizing exposure to unauthenticated remote attackers. Monitoring network traffic for unusual file upload activity or command injection patterns can provide early detection. Additionally, disabling the WebUI interface if not required or replacing it with alternative management methods can reduce attack surface. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of all RaspberryMatic devices and verify their firmware versions regularly to ensure compliance with security policies.