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 flaw arises from insufficient input sanitization in the Edge Router UI during the activation phase, allowing an attacker with local access to inject arbitrary commands. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command). The attack vector requires local access to the device's UI, but does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk if physical or network access to the UI is possible. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, granting the attacker full control over the router, which can compromise network traffic, enable lateral movement, or disrupt network availability. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.4 (High), reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but with a higher attack complexity due to the need for local access. No patches or exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on VMware SD-WAN Edge for their network infrastructure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could have severe consequences, especially for those deploying VMware SD-WAN Edge in critical network segments. Compromise of the SD-WAN Edge router can lead to interception or manipulation of sensitive data, disruption of network services, and potential pivoting to other internal systems. This is particularly impactful for sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government, where network integrity and confidentiality are paramount. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as attackers may gain local network access through compromised internal hosts or insider threats. Disruption or takeover of SD-WAN infrastructure can degrade business continuity and damage trust in managed network services. Given the increasing adoption of SD-WAN solutions across Europe, the threat surface is significant.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately restrict local access to the VMware SD-WAN Edge UI, especially during activation phases, by enforcing strict network segmentation and access controls. Physical security measures should be enhanced to prevent unauthorized local access. Monitoring and logging of access to the Edge Router UI should be implemented to detect suspicious activity. VMware should be engaged to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available, and organizations should plan for rapid deployment of these fixes. Additionally, consider deploying network-level protections such as firewall rules to limit access to management interfaces and use VPNs or secure tunnels for administrative access. Regular security audits and penetration testing of SD-WAN deployments can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.