CVE-2024-22246 is an unauthenticated command injection vulnerability identified in VMware SD-WAN Edge devices, specifically versions 4.5.x and 5.x. The vulnerability resides in the Edge Router UI during the activation phase, where a malicious actor with local access can inject arbitrary commands. This injection can lead to remote code execution, granting the attacker full control over the router. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command), indicating that input is not properly sanitized before being passed to system commands. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.4, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the potential for an attacker to gain full control of critical network infrastructure devices is significant. The vulnerability could be exploited during the activation process of the SD-WAN Edge device, which may be a limited window but critical in environments where devices are deployed or reconfigured frequently. The lack of authentication during this phase increases risk, as it allows unauthenticated users with physical or network proximity access to the device to attempt exploitation. This vulnerability highlights the importance of securing device activation procedures and controlling local access to network infrastructure components.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-22246 could be severe, particularly for those relying on VMware SD-WAN Edge devices to manage wide area network connectivity and critical business communications. Successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of the affected router, enabling attackers to intercept, modify, or disrupt network traffic, potentially causing data breaches, service outages, or lateral movement within corporate networks. This could affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing manipulation of network traffic or configurations, and availability by disrupting network services. Given the reliance on SD-WAN for digital transformation and remote connectivity, disruption could impact operational continuity and regulatory compliance, especially under GDPR and other data protection frameworks. The requirement for local access somewhat limits the threat to environments where physical or network proximity to the device is possible, such as branch offices or data centers. However, insider threats or attackers gaining initial footholds in these environments could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and control network infrastructure. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but organizations should act swiftly to reduce exposure.

1. Restrict physical and network access to VMware SD-WAN Edge devices, especially during activation phases, by implementing strict access control lists and network segmentation. 2. Monitor activation processes closely and log all access attempts to the Edge Router UI to detect anomalous or unauthorized activities. 3. Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 4. If patching is not immediately possible, consider temporarily disabling or restricting the activation interface or using out-of-band management channels with stronger authentication. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on device activation workflows and local access controls. 6. Educate staff and administrators about the risks associated with local access during device activation and enforce policies to minimize exposure. 7. Employ network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to identify suspicious command injection attempts or unusual traffic patterns related to SD-WAN Edge devices. 8. Use endpoint protection and network segmentation to limit the ability of attackers to reach the activation interface from compromised internal hosts.