CVE-2024-45620 is a classic buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the pkcs15-init tool, part of the OpenSC project, which is widely used for smart card and USB token management. The vulnerability occurs when the tool processes Application Protocol Data Units (APDUs) responses from connected USB devices or smart cards. Specifically, if a device sends a specially crafted response that partially fills a buffer, the tool may incorrectly access initialized parts of that buffer without proper size checks, leading to a buffer copy operation without verifying input size. This can cause memory corruption, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. However, exploitation complexity is high because the attacker must have physical access to the target system to connect a malicious USB device or smart card. No user interaction or privileges are required, but the attack vector is limited to local physical access. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.9 (low), reflecting limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, combined with a high attack complexity and no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability affects the pkcs15-init tool specifically; no affected versions are listed yet, and no patches have been published at the time of disclosure. OpenSC is commonly used in environments requiring smart card authentication, including government, financial institutions, and enterprises with strong security policies.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45620 is primarily related to the potential compromise of systems that rely on OpenSC for smart card-based authentication and cryptographic operations. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution or denial of service on affected systems, potentially disrupting authentication workflows or exposing sensitive cryptographic material. However, the requirement for physical access limits the threat to environments where attackers can connect malicious devices directly. Critical sectors such as government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators that use smart cards extensively may face operational disruptions or security breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The low CVSS score indicates that widespread impact is unlikely, but targeted attacks in high-security environments remain a concern. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance.

To mitigate CVE-2024-45620, European organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from connecting USB devices or smart cards to critical systems. Network and endpoint security policies should enforce device whitelisting and disable unused USB ports where possible. Organizations should monitor logs and alerts related to smart card and USB device interactions to detect anomalous behavior. Once patches or updates for OpenSC and the pkcs15-init tool are released, they should be applied promptly. Security teams should also conduct regular audits of systems using OpenSC to ensure configurations follow best practices and that no unauthorized devices are connected. Additionally, educating users about the risks of connecting unknown USB devices can reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Employing hardware-based security modules or trusted platform modules (TPMs) can provide additional layers of protection for cryptographic operations.