CVE-2022-24893 is a memory corruption vulnerability classified as an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) and access of memory location after the end of a buffer (CWE-788) within Espressif's ESP-IDF framework, specifically in the Bluetooth Mesh SDK component (ESP-BLE-MESH). ESP-IDF is the official development framework used for Espressif System-on-Chips (SoCs), which are widely deployed in IoT devices. The vulnerability arises during the provisioning process of Bluetooth Mesh networks when the 'SegN' field of the Transaction Start Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is not properly validated. This lack of boundary checking allows an attacker to craft malicious provisioning packets that cause memory corruption. Such corruption can lead to undefined behavior, including potential arbitrary code execution, which could allow an attacker to gain full control over the affected device. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of ESP-IDF prior to patched releases (specifically versions <4.1.4, between 4.2.0 and 4.2.4, between 4.3.2 and 4.3.3, and between 4.4.1 and 4.4.2). Since the flaw exists in the Bluetooth Mesh stack implementation, there is no feasible application-layer workaround; the only effective mitigation is upgrading the underlying ESP-IDF firmware to a patched version. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the potential for exploitation exists due to the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of Espressif SoCs in IoT devices that rely on Bluetooth Mesh networking for provisioning and communication.

The impact of this vulnerability on European organizations is significant, particularly for those deploying IoT devices using Espressif SoCs with Bluetooth Mesh capabilities. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized control over affected devices, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This is especially critical in industrial, smart building, healthcare, and critical infrastructure sectors where IoT devices are integral to operations. Compromised devices could be leveraged for lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or as entry points for broader attacks. Given the proliferation of Espressif-based devices in consumer and enterprise environments across Europe, the vulnerability poses a risk to both operational technology and IT environments. The lack of user interaction requirement and the possibility of remote exploitation via Bluetooth provisioning increase the threat's severity. However, the absence of known active exploits and the medium severity rating suggest that while impactful, the threat is currently contained but requires proactive mitigation to prevent future incidents.

Immediately identify all devices and applications using Espressif ESP-IDF versions affected by this vulnerability, focusing on those utilizing the ESP-BLE-MESH component. Upgrade the ESP-IDF framework to the latest patched versions (4.1.4 or higher, 4.2.4 or higher, 4.3.3 or higher, or 4.4.2 or higher) as applicable to the deployed firmware to eliminate the vulnerability at the source. Coordinate with device manufacturers and vendors to ensure firmware updates are available and deployed promptly across all affected devices. Implement network segmentation and strict access controls for Bluetooth provisioning interfaces to limit exposure to untrusted devices or users. Monitor Bluetooth Mesh network traffic for anomalous provisioning attempts or malformed PDUs that could indicate exploitation attempts. Incorporate vulnerability scanning and firmware inventory management into regular security assessments to detect outdated ESP-IDF versions. Educate operational technology and IoT device management teams about the risks associated with Bluetooth Mesh provisioning vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching. Where possible, disable Bluetooth Mesh provisioning on devices that do not require it or restrict provisioning to secure environments during maintenance windows.