CVE-2022-42055 is a medium severity command injection vulnerability affecting the GL.iNet GoodCloud IoT Device Management System, specifically version 1.00.220412.00. The vulnerability arises from improper input sanitization in the implementation of the ping and traceroute diagnostic tools within the management system. Attackers with at least low-level privileges (PR:L) can exploit this flaw remotely (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N) to inject arbitrary commands. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute commands on the underlying system, enabling them to read arbitrary files. This compromises the confidentiality of sensitive data stored on the device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), indicating that the system fails to properly sanitize inputs before passing them to OS command execution functions. Although integrity and availability are not directly impacted, the ability to read arbitrary files can lead to further attacks or information leakage. No known public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting that mitigation may require vendor intervention or manual configuration changes. The vulnerability is significant because IoT device management systems often have privileged access to networked devices and sensitive operational data, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking lateral movement or data exfiltration.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to those deploying GL.iNet GoodCloud IoT Device Management Systems in their network infrastructure. Compromise of these management systems can lead to unauthorized disclosure of configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive operational data, potentially enabling attackers to pivot into critical network segments or disrupt IoT device operations. Given the increasing adoption of IoT devices in sectors such as manufacturing, smart cities, healthcare, and critical infrastructure across Europe, exploitation could undermine operational security and data privacy compliance obligations under regulations like GDPR. The ability to remotely execute commands without user interaction increases the risk of automated attacks and large-scale exploitation if the vulnerability becomes widely known. While no active exploits are reported, the medium CVSS score reflects a meaningful threat that should be addressed promptly to prevent escalation or chained attacks.

European organizations should immediately inventory their use of GL.iNet GoodCloud IoT Device Management Systems and verify the version in use. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should contact GL.iNet for updates or advisories. In the interim, restrict network access to the management system interfaces to trusted administrative networks only, using network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. Implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual command execution or file access patterns on affected devices. Disable or restrict the use of diagnostic tools like ping and traceroute within the management system if possible. Employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, review and harden IoT device configurations and credentials to reduce the impact of any potential compromise. Regularly update and patch IoT management platforms as vendors release fixes.