CVE-2024-22097 identifies a double-free vulnerability (CWE-415) in the BrainVision header parsing component of The Biosig Project's libbiosig library, specifically affecting version 2.5.0 and the master branch at commit ab0ee111. The vulnerability arises when the library processes specially crafted .vdhr files, which are header files used in biosignal data formats. A double-free occurs when the same memory is freed more than once, leading to undefined behavior including heap corruption. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker who supplies a malicious .vdhr file to an application using libbiosig, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making remote exploitation feasible if the application processes untrusted files. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting critical severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability and its critical score indicate a high risk. The Biosig Project is a specialized open-source library used primarily in biomedical and neuroscience fields for biosignal processing, making this vulnerability particularly relevant to organizations handling such data. No official patches were linked at the time of publication, so users must monitor for updates or apply mitigations to reduce risk.

The impact of CVE-2024-22097 on European organizations is significant, especially for those in healthcare, neuroscience research, and biomedical engineering sectors that rely on The Biosig Project's libbiosig for processing biosignal data. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive patient or research data, disruption of critical research workflows, and potential manipulation or destruction of data. Given the critical CVSS score and the lack of required authentication or user interaction, attackers could remotely exploit vulnerable systems by delivering malicious .vdhr files, for example, via compromised data repositories or network shares. The potential for widespread impact exists in environments where biosignal data is processed automatically or integrated into larger healthcare IT systems. Additionally, the exploitation could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader organizational compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2024-22097, European organizations should: 1) Monitor The Biosig Project's official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 2) Implement strict validation and sanitization of all .vdhr files before processing, including rejecting files from untrusted or unauthenticated sources. 3) Employ application-level sandboxing or containerization to isolate the libbiosig processing environment, limiting the impact of potential exploitation. 4) Restrict network access to systems that process biosignal data to trusted users and devices only, reducing exposure to malicious files. 5) Conduct code audits or use static analysis tools on custom applications integrating libbiosig to identify and remediate unsafe file handling practices. 6) Maintain up-to-date endpoint protection and intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Educate staff in biomedical and research departments about the risks of processing untrusted biosignal files and enforce policies for secure data handling. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific file type and processing context relevant to this vulnerability.