CVE-2022-45313 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Mikrotik RouterOS versions prior to the stable 7.5 release. The flaw resides in the hotspot process of the RouterOS, where an out-of-bounds read condition occurs due to improper handling of a crafted nova message. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, indicating a buffer over-read issue. Exploiting this vulnerability allows an attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) and no user interaction (UI:N) to execute arbitrary code remotely over the network (AV:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution can lead to full system compromise, data leakage, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the critical nature of the flaw. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component itself. No known public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the ease of exploitation combined with network accessibility makes this a significant threat. Mikrotik RouterOS is widely used in networking equipment, especially in small to medium enterprises and ISPs, making this vulnerability a critical concern for network infrastructure security.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-45313 can be substantial. Mikrotik devices are commonly deployed in enterprise networks, internet service providers, and public Wi-Fi hotspots across Europe. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to network infrastructure, interception or manipulation of network traffic, and disruption of internet services. This could affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive data traversing the network, integrity by allowing attackers to alter configurations or traffic, and availability by causing device crashes or persistent denial of service. Critical infrastructure sectors relying on Mikrotik devices, such as telecommunications, finance, and government networks, could face operational disruptions and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The lack of required user interaction and the network attack vector increase the risk of automated exploitation attempts, potentially impacting a broad range of organizations.

1. Immediate upgrade to Mikrotik RouterOS version 7.5 or later, where the vulnerability is patched, is the most effective mitigation. 2. If upgrading is not immediately possible, restrict network access to the hotspot service by implementing firewall rules that limit exposure to trusted IP addresses only. 3. Monitor network traffic for anomalous nova message patterns or unexpected hotspot process behavior using IDS/IPS solutions tailored to Mikrotik protocols. 4. Regularly audit and inventory Mikrotik devices within the network to ensure all are identified and updated promptly. 5. Employ network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical assets, reducing potential lateral movement. 6. Enable logging and alerting on Mikrotik devices for unusual administrative or hotspot activity to detect exploitation attempts early. 7. Coordinate with ISPs and service providers to confirm their Mikrotik infrastructure is patched, as downstream vulnerabilities can affect organizational connectivity.