CVE-2024-22041 is a buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-119, found in the network communication library of Siemens Cerberus PRO EN Engineering Tool and related fire safety products, including Sinteso FS20 EN series. The flaw arises from improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer when parsing X.509 certificates used for secure communications. This improper handling can be triggered remotely without authentication, allowing an attacker to send specially crafted network packets that cause the affected service to crash, resulting in denial-of-service (DoS). The affected products include multiple versions of Cerberus PRO EN Fire Panels (FC72x IP6, IP7, IP8), X200 and X300 Cloud Distribution systems, UL Compact Panels, and Sinteso FS20 EN Fire Panels and Mobile applications. The vulnerability impacts all versions prior to specific patch levels or updates, indicating a broad attack surface. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity due to network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and a significant impact on availability. While no exploits are currently known in the wild, the critical nature of fire safety systems and their reliance on continuous operation make this vulnerability a serious concern. Attackers exploiting this flaw could disrupt fire detection and alarm systems, potentially endangering physical safety and causing operational downtime.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-22041 is substantial given the critical role Siemens Cerberus PRO and Sinteso FS20 fire safety systems play in protecting infrastructure, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and public spaces. A successful exploitation could lead to denial-of-service conditions, disabling fire alarm and safety monitoring capabilities. This disruption could delay emergency responses, increase risk to human life, and cause regulatory non-compliance with fire safety standards. Additionally, operational downtime may result in financial losses and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, healthcare, and government facilities are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on these systems for safety and compliance. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the risk of widespread attacks, especially in networked environments where these devices are accessible. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not diminish the criticality of availability loss in safety-critical contexts.

European organizations should immediately identify all affected Siemens Cerberus PRO and Sinteso FS20 products within their environment. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should engage with Siemens support to obtain the latest firmware and software updates that address this vulnerability. In the interim, network segmentation should be enforced to isolate fire safety systems from general IT networks and restrict access to trusted management stations only. Deploy network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to monitor and block malformed X.509 certificate traffic or suspicious packets targeting these devices. Implement strict access controls and disable unnecessary network services on affected devices. Regularly audit and monitor logs for signs of attempted exploitation or service crashes. Establish incident response plans specifically for fire safety system disruptions. Coordinate with building management and safety teams to ensure manual override procedures are in place during remediation. Finally, maintain communication with Siemens for updates on patches and advisories.