CVE-2022-24942 is a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the HTTP Server functionality of Micrium uC-HTTP version 3.01.01, which is part of the Silicon Labs Gecko Platform. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of HTTP requests, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious HTTP request that triggers a heap overflow condition. The overflow can corrupt adjacent memory on the heap, potentially enabling remote code execution (RCE) without requiring any authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, indicating a classic heap-based buffer overflow issue. Given the CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1, the flaw is highly severe, with an attack vector that is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact scope is unchanged (S:U), with no confidentiality impact but high integrity and availability impacts (I:H/A:H), meaning attackers can execute arbitrary code, disrupt services, or manipulate system behavior remotely. The affected product, the Gecko Platform by Silicon Labs, is widely used in embedded systems, IoT devices, and wireless connectivity modules, which often operate in critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, and consumer electronics. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests the vulnerability has not yet been weaponized, but the ease of exploitation and severity make it a high-risk issue that demands immediate attention. The lack of available patches at the time of publication further increases the urgency for mitigation and risk management strategies.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on Silicon Labs' Gecko Platform in their embedded or IoT device deployments. Critical sectors such as manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and smart city infrastructure often utilize these devices for automation, monitoring, and control. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, resulting in operational disruptions, data integrity compromise, and potential denial of service. Given the network-exposed nature of the HTTP server component, attackers could remotely target vulnerable devices without needing physical access or credentials. This could facilitate lateral movement within networks, espionage, sabotage, or ransomware deployment. The disruption of IoT and embedded systems could also impact supply chains and critical infrastructure resilience in Europe. Moreover, the high severity and ease of exploitation increase the risk of rapid exploitation once public exploit code becomes available, potentially affecting a broad range of organizations that have not yet mitigated the vulnerability.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Inventory and identify all devices and systems using the Silicon Labs Gecko Platform with Micrium uC-HTTP 3.01.01 or earlier versions. 2) Engage with Silicon Labs for official patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2022-24942 and prioritize their deployment in all affected devices. 3) Where immediate patching is not possible, implement network-level controls such as firewall rules or segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable HTTP server ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. 4) Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting anomalous HTTP request patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Monitor network traffic and device logs for unusual activity or crashes that may signal exploitation attempts. 6) For critical infrastructure, consider deploying compensating controls such as application-layer gateways or reverse proxies that can sanitize or block malicious HTTP requests before they reach vulnerable devices. 7) Incorporate this vulnerability into risk assessments and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and containment if exploitation occurs. 8) Collaborate with vendors and industry groups to share threat intelligence related to this vulnerability to stay ahead of emerging exploit techniques.