CVE-2022-24882 is a security vulnerability identified in FreeRDP, an open-source implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The flaw exists in versions of FreeRDP prior to 2.7.0 and specifically affects FreeRDP-based RDP server implementations, not the clients. The vulnerability arises from improper authentication handling related to the NT LAN Manager (NTLM) authentication mechanism. When an attacker provides an empty password value during the NTLM authentication process, the server does not properly abort the authentication attempt. This improper handling can potentially allow unauthorized access to the RDP server without valid credentials. The root cause is classified under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication), indicating that the authentication logic fails to correctly verify credentials under certain conditions. The issue was publicly disclosed on April 26, 2022, and has been patched in FreeRDP version 2.7.0. No known workarounds exist, and there are no reports of active exploitation in the wild. Since FreeRDP is widely used in various RDP server implementations, this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to bypass authentication controls, leading to unauthorized remote access to affected systems. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, potentially leading to data exposure or manipulation. Availability impact is indirect but possible if attackers use the access to disrupt services. Exploitation does not require user interaction but does require network access to the vulnerable RDP server. The scope is limited to FreeRDP-based RDP servers running versions prior to 2.7.0. RDP clients and other RDP server implementations are not affected.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-24882 can be significant, especially for those relying on FreeRDP-based RDP servers for remote access and management. Unauthorized access due to this vulnerability could lead to data breaches, lateral movement within networks, and potential deployment of malware or ransomware. Critical infrastructure, government agencies, and enterprises with remote workforce setups are particularly at risk. The vulnerability undermines the trust in authentication mechanisms, increasing the risk of insider-like access by external attackers. Given the widespread use of RDP in enterprise environments across Europe, exploitation could disrupt business operations and compromise sensitive information. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation and absence of workarounds mean that unpatched systems remain vulnerable. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, which often have stringent regulatory requirements for data protection, could face compliance and reputational risks if compromised.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize upgrading all FreeRDP-based RDP server implementations to version 2.7.0 or later, where the issue is patched. Since no workarounds exist, patching is the primary defense. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level protections such as restricting RDP access via firewalls or VPNs to trusted IP addresses only. Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for RDP sessions can add an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if authentication bypass is attempted. Regularly auditing RDP server configurations and monitoring authentication logs for unusual or empty password attempts can help detect exploitation attempts early. Organizations should also consider segmenting RDP servers within secure network zones to limit lateral movement if a breach occurs. Finally, educating IT staff about this specific vulnerability and ensuring timely patch management processes are critical to reducing exposure.