CVE-2024-45617 is a vulnerability identified in OpenSC, including its tools, PKCS#11 module, minidriver, and CTK components. The root cause is insufficient or missing validation of return values from functions handling APDU responses, which leads to the use of uninitialized variables. This can occur when an attacker uses a specially crafted USB device or smart card that sends malformed or unexpected APDU responses to the system. The improper handling of these responses may cause the software to operate unpredictably, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. The vulnerability requires physical access to the target system to connect the malicious device, and the attack complexity is high due to the need to craft specific APDU responses. No privileges or user interaction are required, but the attacker must be able to connect the device to the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.9, reflecting low severity, with partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that remediation may still be pending. The vulnerability affects all versions of OpenSC as indicated, which is commonly used in environments relying on smart card authentication and cryptographic token management.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45617 is generally low but non-negligible in environments where OpenSC is used for critical authentication or cryptographic operations. Exploitation could lead to unexpected behavior in authentication processes, potentially allowing attackers to bypass or disrupt hardware token-based security mechanisms. This could affect sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and enterprises that rely on smart cards for secure access or digital signatures. Although the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation and requires physical access, the risk is higher in environments with less physical security or where USB devices are commonly connected. The partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive data or authentication states could be corrupted or exposed in limited scenarios. However, the high attack complexity and lack of known exploits reduce the immediate threat level. Organizations with strict physical device controls and monitoring are less likely to be affected, but those with widespread use of OpenSC should remain vigilant.

1. Monitor OpenSC project updates and apply security patches promptly once released to address this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized USB or smart card device connections, including USB port lockdowns and device whitelisting. 3. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting and blocking unauthorized or suspicious USB devices. 4. Conduct regular audits of hardware token usage and access logs to identify anomalous activities. 5. Enhance input validation and error handling in custom integrations with OpenSC components to detect malformed APDU responses early. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of connecting unknown USB devices or smart cards. 7. Consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of compromised endpoints. 8. Use multi-factor authentication methods that do not solely rely on vulnerable hardware tokens to reduce risk exposure.