CVE-2024-22194 is an information leakage vulnerability identified in the Cyber-Domain-Ontology project's CDO-Utility-Local-UUID Python library, specifically in versions 0.4.0 through 0.12.0 and certain versions of the related case-utils package (0.5.0 to before 0.15.0). The vulnerability arises from the function cdo_local_uuid.local_uuid() and its original implementation case_utils.local_uuid(), which generate deterministic UUIDs upon user request. The core issue is the insertion of sensitive information into debugging code, classified under CWE-215 (Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Debugging Code) and CWE-337 (Predictable Seed in PRNG). This means that during the UUID generation process, sensitive data may be inadvertently exposed through debug outputs or logs, potentially allowing an attacker with limited privileges and user interaction to glean confidential information. The vulnerability has a low CVSS 3.1 score of 2.2, reflecting its limited impact and difficulty of exploitation, requiring local access, high attack complexity, low privileges, and user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability in a critical manner but poses a risk of minor information disclosure through debug channels, which could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks or to aid reconnaissance.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-22194 is relatively low but non-negligible in environments where the affected UUID generation libraries are used, especially in internal tooling or software that relies on deterministic UUIDs for identification or tracking. The leakage of sensitive information through debugging code could expose internal identifiers, configuration details, or other data that might assist attackers in profiling systems or escalating privileges. While the vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or compromised user accounts could exploit this to gather intelligence. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, or critical infrastructure, should be cautious as even minor leaks can contravene GDPR or other compliance requirements. However, the limited scope and low severity mean that widespread disruption or direct system compromise is unlikely solely due to this vulnerability.

European organizations should audit their use of the cdo-local-uuid and case-utils libraries, particularly versions 0.4.0 through 0.12.0 and 0.5.0 through before 0.15.0, respectively. Immediate mitigation steps include disabling or removing debugging outputs that may leak sensitive information during UUID generation. Developers should review and sanitize any debug logs or error messages related to UUID generation to ensure no sensitive data is exposed. Where possible, upgrade to patched or newer versions of these libraries once available. In the interim, restrict access to systems running vulnerable versions to trusted users only and monitor for unusual local user activities. Implement strict logging and monitoring to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the risk posed by low-privilege users. Finally, incorporate secure coding practices to avoid embedding sensitive information in debugging code in future development.