CVE-2022-42139 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability affecting Delta Electronics DVW-W02W2-E2 version 1.5.0.10. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation of crafted URLs, which allows an attacker with network access and low privileges to inject arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), indicating that user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being passed to system-level command execution functions. Exploitation requires no user interaction and can be performed remotely over the network, making it a significant risk. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or disruption of device functionality. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the severity of impact make this vulnerability a critical concern for organizations using the affected Delta Electronics device. The lack of vendor or product-specific information beyond the device model limits detailed contextual analysis, but the vulnerability’s nature suggests it targets embedded or industrial control systems, which are often deployed in operational technology environments.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2022-42139 could have severe consequences, especially in sectors relying on industrial automation, manufacturing, or critical infrastructure where Delta Electronics devices are deployed. Successful command injection could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, disruption of industrial processes, or even physical damage if safety controls are overridden. This could result in operational downtime, financial losses, regulatory penalties under frameworks like GDPR (due to data confidentiality breaches), and reputational damage. Given the device’s likely role in industrial or building automation, the impact extends beyond IT systems to physical processes, increasing the risk profile. The vulnerability’s network-exploitable nature means that attackers could leverage it from remote locations, raising concerns about supply chain attacks or nation-state actors targeting European industrial assets.

1. Immediate network segmentation: Isolate the affected Delta Electronics devices from general enterprise networks and restrict access to trusted management networks only. 2. Implement strict access controls: Enforce least privilege for any accounts with access to the device, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with the device’s management interfaces. 3. Input validation and filtering: Where possible, deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) or network intrusion prevention systems (IPS) configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns indicative of command injection attempts targeting the device. 4. Monitor network traffic: Establish continuous monitoring for anomalous commands or unusual traffic patterns directed at the device, leveraging SIEM tools with custom rules for industrial protocols. 5. Vendor engagement: Contact Delta Electronics for official patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. If unavailable, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling vulnerable services or interfaces. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare and test incident response plans specific to industrial control system compromises, including backup and recovery procedures for affected devices. 7. Regular vulnerability scanning: Incorporate this CVE into vulnerability management programs to detect any instances of the vulnerable device within the network promptly.