CVE-2022-41404 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the fetch() method of the BasicProfile class within the org.ini4j library, up to version 0.5.4. The org.ini4j library is a Java-based utility used for parsing and handling INI configuration files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which relates to uncontrolled resource consumption, commonly leading to Denial of Service (DoS) conditions. Specifically, this issue allows an attacker to exploit the fetch() method to cause excessive resource usage, potentially exhausting system resources such as CPU or memory, thereby disrupting normal application or system operations. The attack vector is remote (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), making it relatively easy to exploit over a network. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but solely affects availability, resulting in service outages or degraded performance. Although the exact exploitation method is unspecified, typical scenarios might involve sending crafted INI files or requests that trigger the vulnerable fetch() method to consume excessive resources. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, and no official patches have been linked, indicating that mitigation may require manual updates or workarounds by developers using the library.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-41404 is the potential for Denial of Service attacks against applications or services that incorporate the vulnerable org.ini4j library. This could lead to service downtime, affecting business continuity and operational reliability, especially for critical infrastructure or services relying on Java applications that parse INI files. Industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and public sector entities that utilize Java-based configurations may be particularly vulnerable. The disruption could result in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues under frameworks like GDPR if service availability is compromised. Additionally, organizations with automated systems or IoT devices using this library might face cascading failures. Although no data breach or integrity compromise is indicated, the availability impact alone can be significant in environments requiring high uptime and reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2022-41404, European organizations should first identify all applications and services that use the org.ini4j library, particularly versions up to 0.5.4. Since no official patch is currently linked, organizations should consider the following specific actions: 1) Implement input validation and sanitization for all INI files or configuration inputs processed by the fetch() method to prevent maliciously crafted inputs that could trigger resource exhaustion. 2) Apply resource limits at the application or container level, such as CPU and memory quotas, to contain potential DoS impacts. 3) Monitor application logs and system metrics for unusual spikes in resource usage that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Where feasible, replace or upgrade the org.ini4j library to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available, or consider alternative libraries with better security track records. 5) Employ network-level protections such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious traffic patterns targeting vulnerable endpoints. 6) Conduct security testing and code reviews focusing on configuration file handling to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.