CVE-2022-40363 is a medium-severity buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the component nfc_device_load_mifare_ul_data of Flipper Devices Inc.'s Flipper Zero device, specifically in versions prior to v0.65.2. The Flipper Zero is a multi-functional portable device popular among security researchers and hobbyists for interacting with various digital protocols including NFC (Near Field Communication). This vulnerability arises when the device processes a specially crafted NFC file, leading to a buffer overflow condition. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory. In this case, the overflow allows an attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by crashing or destabilizing the device. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) shows that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches or vendor advisories are linked in the provided data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a common and well-understood software weakness. Exploitation requires the victim to interact with a malicious NFC file, which could be delivered via NFC tags or devices. The primary risk is disruption of device functionality, potentially impacting users relying on Flipper Zero for security testing or other tasks.

For European organizations, the direct impact of this vulnerability is relatively limited due to the niche use of Flipper Zero devices primarily by security professionals, hobbyists, and penetration testers rather than mainstream enterprise environments. However, organizations involved in security research, penetration testing, or those that use Flipper Zero devices for internal security assessments could face operational disruptions if devices are targeted with crafted NFC files. The DoS condition could interrupt security workflows or delay testing activities. Additionally, if Flipper Zero devices are used in sensitive environments or for critical security functions, their unavailability could pose secondary risks. Since the vulnerability does not allow data theft or code execution, the confidentiality and integrity of organizational data are not directly threatened. Nonetheless, the requirement for local access and user interaction limits the attack surface, reducing the likelihood of widespread impact. European organizations should consider the potential for targeted disruption in environments where Flipper Zero devices are actively used.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations and users of Flipper Zero devices should: 1) Upgrade the Flipper Zero firmware to version 0.65.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. If an official patch is not yet available, monitor vendor channels for updates. 2) Limit physical access to Flipper Zero devices to trusted personnel to prevent attackers from delivering malicious NFC files. 3) Educate users to avoid interacting with untrusted or unknown NFC tags or files, especially in public or uncontrolled environments. 4) Implement device usage policies that restrict the use of Flipper Zero devices to controlled settings and ensure secure handling of NFC data. 5) For organizations using Flipper Zero in security assessments, consider isolating these devices from critical networks to minimize potential disruption. 6) Regularly audit and monitor device behavior for signs of crashes or instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling physical and operational exposure specific to the Flipper Zero and NFC attack vectors.