CVE-2022-39282 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting FreeRDP, an open-source Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) library and client software widely used on Unix-based systems. The vulnerability arises from the use of uninitialized resources within the FreeRDP client when the `/parallel` command line switch is used to enable parallel port redirection. Specifically, the client may read uninitialized memory data and inadvertently transmit this potentially sensitive data to the connected RDP server. This flaw is categorized under CWE-908 (Use of Uninitialized Resource), indicating that the software accesses memory or resources before they have been properly initialized, which can lead to leakage of sensitive information or unpredictable behavior. Importantly, FreeRDP server implementations are not affected by this vulnerability. The issue was addressed and patched in FreeRDP version 2.8.1. Until upgrading, users are advised to avoid using the `/parallel` switch to mitigate the risk. There are no known exploits in the wild targeting this vulnerability as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality due to potential leakage of uninitialized memory contents, which may include sensitive information from the client environment. Exploitation requires the client to be run with the `/parallel` switch, and the client must be connected to a potentially malicious or compromised RDP server to receive the leaked data. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction to initiate the connection with the vulnerable client configuration.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-39282 centers on potential confidentiality breaches during remote desktop sessions using FreeRDP clients with parallel port redirection enabled. Organizations relying on FreeRDP for remote access on Unix systems, especially those using the `/parallel` switch, risk leaking uninitialized memory data to connected RDP servers. This could expose sensitive information such as credentials, session data, or other private client-side information to attackers controlling or monitoring the RDP server. Although no direct integrity or availability impact is noted, the confidentiality compromise could facilitate further attacks such as credential theft or lateral movement within networks. Sectors with high reliance on remote desktop solutions—such as financial institutions, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators—may face increased risk if FreeRDP clients are deployed without patching or proper configuration. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in widely used open-source software necessitates proactive mitigation to prevent potential future exploitation.

1. Upgrade FreeRDP clients on all Unix-based systems to version 2.8.1 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, disable the use of the `/parallel` command line switch to prevent parallel port redirection and avoid triggering the vulnerability. 3. Audit existing remote desktop client configurations to identify any usage of the `/parallel` switch and remediate accordingly. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual or unauthorized RDP connections, especially those involving parallel port redirection. 5. Implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of RDP clients to untrusted servers. 6. Educate system administrators and users about the risks associated with enabling parallel port redirection in FreeRDP clients. 7. Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching schedules to ensure timely updates. 8. Consider alternative remote desktop clients if parallel port redirection is a critical requirement and patching is delayed.