CVE-2024-25388 is a vulnerability identified in the RT-Thread real-time operating system, specifically within the WLAN management driver (drivers/wlan/wlan_mgmt.c) in versions through 5.0.2. The root cause is an integer signedness error (CWE-195), which leads to a buffer overflow condition. This type of error occurs when signed integers are incorrectly handled, causing improper memory allocation or indexing that can overwrite adjacent memory buffers. The buffer overflow can be exploited by an attacker with local access to the system to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause a denial of service by crashing the system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 reflects the vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local system access, which is common in embedded or IoT environments where physical or network proximity is possible. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the vulnerability's nature suggests that once exploit code is developed, it could be used to compromise devices running RT-Thread in critical environments. RT-Thread is widely used in embedded systems, IoT devices, and industrial control systems, making this vulnerability particularly relevant for sectors relying on such technology.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-25388 can be significant, especially in industries relying heavily on embedded systems and IoT devices running RT-Thread, such as manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or system outages, undermining operational continuity and data security. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, compromised devices could serve as entry points for broader network attacks or disrupt essential services. The local attack vector limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as attackers could gain local access through physical presence, compromised internal networks, or supply chain attacks. European organizations with extensive industrial IoT deployments or embedded device usage should consider this vulnerability a high priority. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

1. Restrict local access to devices running RT-Thread, especially those with WLAN capabilities, by enforcing strict physical security and network segmentation. 2. Monitor WLAN management traffic and system logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 3. Implement application whitelisting and integrity checks on embedded devices to detect unauthorized code execution. 4. Engage with RT-Thread vendors or maintainers to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 5. Where patching is not immediately possible, consider disabling or limiting WLAN management features if feasible to reduce attack surface. 6. Conduct thorough security audits of embedded and IoT devices in the environment to identify RT-Thread usage and assess exposure. 7. Educate operational technology (OT) and IT teams about the risks of local access vulnerabilities and the importance of layered defense strategies.