CVE-2022-42159 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the D-Link COVR series of mesh Wi-Fi routers, specifically models 1200, 1202, and 1203 running firmware version 1.08. The core issue stems from the use of a predictable seed in the device's Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG). PRNGs are critical components in cryptographic operations and security protocols, as they generate random values used for key generation, session tokens, nonces, and other security parameters. A predictable seed undermines the randomness and thus the security guarantees of these operations. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-335, which relates to the use of predictable seeds in PRNGs. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), with the vector indicating the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), requires privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts integrity (I:L) but not confidentiality or availability. The requirement for privileges suggests that an attacker must have some level of authenticated access to the device or network to exploit this flaw. Exploitation could allow an attacker to predict cryptographic values, potentially leading to manipulation or forgery of data, session hijacking, or bypassing security mechanisms that rely on randomness. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked or published yet. The vulnerability affects firmware version 1.08, but no further version details or vendor project information are provided. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is primarily a cryptographic weakness that could facilitate further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

For European organizations using D-Link COVR 1200, 1202, or 1203 mesh Wi-Fi routers with the vulnerable firmware, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of network communications and security mechanisms relying on the device's cryptographic functions. An attacker with low-level privileges on the network could exploit the predictable PRNG seed to predict cryptographic values, potentially enabling session hijacking, unauthorized configuration changes, or bypassing access controls. This could lead to unauthorized network access, data manipulation, or lateral movement within the network. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise could undermine trust in network security and lead to further exploitation. European organizations with distributed or remote offices using these devices may face increased risk, especially if the devices are used in critical infrastructure or sensitive environments. The lack of a patch and known exploits means the threat is currently theoretical but should be addressed proactively to prevent future exploitation. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it represents a meaningful risk that could be leveraged in targeted attacks or as part of a multi-stage attack chain.

1. Immediate mitigation should involve auditing all D-Link COVR 1200, 1202, and 1203 devices to identify those running firmware version 1.08. 2. Restrict administrative access to these devices to trusted personnel and networks only, employing network segmentation to limit exposure. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual activity that could indicate attempts to exploit cryptographic weaknesses or unauthorized access. 4. Where possible, upgrade firmware to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available; if no patch exists, contact D-Link support for guidance or consider device replacement. 5. Implement compensating controls such as VPNs or additional encryption layers to protect sensitive communications passing through these devices. 6. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms on the devices to reduce the risk posed by the requirement for low-level privileges to exploit the vulnerability. 7. Regularly review and update device configurations to minimize attack surfaces, including disabling unnecessary services and changing default credentials. 8. Stay informed on vendor advisories and threat intelligence updates related to this vulnerability to apply patches or mitigations promptly when released.