CVE-2022-44319 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in PicoC version 3.2.2, an embedded C interpreter commonly used in resource-constrained environments for scripting and automation. The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow occurring in the StdioBasePrintf function located in cstdlib/string.c. This function is invoked during the execution of ExpressionParseFunctionCall, which processes function calls within the interpreted scripts. A heap buffer overflow arises when the function writes more data to a heap-allocated buffer than it can hold, potentially corrupting adjacent memory. This can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes or, in some cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires local access (Attack Vector: Local) and low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with access to the system and the ability to trigger the vulnerable function can exploit it without needing special privileges. User interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability, indicating that the attacker must induce the vulnerable function call, likely by supplying crafted input to the interpreter. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that while the impact on confidentiality and integrity is none, the availability impact is high due to potential crashes or denial of service. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor information are currently available. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a common category for buffer overflow issues. Given the nature of PicoC as an embedded interpreter, the vulnerability primarily affects embedded systems or applications that integrate PicoC for scripting purposes. Exploitation could disrupt system availability or potentially be leveraged in complex attack chains if combined with other vulnerabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-44319 depends largely on the deployment of PicoC within their infrastructure. Organizations using embedded devices or industrial control systems that incorporate PicoC for scripting could face service disruptions due to crashes caused by the heap overflow. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as manufacturing, energy, automotive, and IoT device manufacturers where embedded interpreters are common. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, denial of service conditions could interrupt critical operations, leading to operational downtime and potential safety risks in industrial environments. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation, reducing the risk of widespread attacks. However, insider threats or compromised local users could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt systems. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current threat activity, but organizations should remain vigilant given the potential for future exploitation. The lack of vendor patches necessitates caution when deploying or maintaining affected versions. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate operational risk, especially to organizations relying on embedded systems with PicoC integration.

1. Inventory and Identification: Conduct a thorough audit to identify all embedded systems, IoT devices, and applications using PicoC version 3.2.2 or earlier. 2. Restrict Local Access: Limit local access to systems running PicoC interpreters to trusted personnel only, employing strict access controls and monitoring. 3. Input Validation and Sanitization: Implement rigorous input validation on any data or scripts processed by PicoC to prevent maliciously crafted inputs from triggering the vulnerability. 4. Application Hardening: Where possible, disable or restrict the use of ExpressionParseFunctionCall or related scripting features that invoke the vulnerable function. 5. Monitoring and Logging: Enable detailed logging of interpreter usage and monitor for abnormal crashes or behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Network Segmentation: Isolate embedded systems running PicoC from broader enterprise networks to contain potential impacts. 7. Patch Management: Monitor vendor and community channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 8. Incident Response Preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans specific to embedded system disruptions to minimize downtime. 9. Consider Alternative Solutions: For new deployments, evaluate alternative scripting engines or interpreters with active security support and fewer known vulnerabilities.