CVE-2024-52059 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-120 (Classic Buffer Overflow), CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), and CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound) affecting RTI Connext Professional Security Plugins. The vulnerability arises from a buffer copy operation that does not properly check the size of input data, allowing an attacker with local privileges to overflow heap buffers by manipulating variables and tags. This can lead to memory corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, or denial of service. The affected versions include RTI Connext Professional from 6.1.0 before 6.1.2.17 and from 7.0.0 before 7.3.0.2. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and privileges (PR:L), with high impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability or scope. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to environments where RTI Connext Professional is deployed, especially in security-sensitive applications such as industrial control systems, defense communications, and real-time data distribution. The integer overflow aspect increases the complexity of the vulnerability, as it may allow bypassing some input validation checks leading to buffer overflow conditions.

For European organizations, the vulnerability presents a risk primarily in sectors relying on RTI Connext Professional for secure real-time data communication, such as manufacturing automation, defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, corruption of critical data streams, or execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. This could disrupt industrial processes, compromise operational technology environments, or degrade the integrity of defense communication systems. The requirement for local privileges limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised internal systems could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or move laterally within networks. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but also means organizations should proactively patch or mitigate to avoid future exploitation. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between impact and exploitation complexity, but the critical nature of affected systems in Europe elevates the operational risk.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading RTI Connext Professional installations to versions 6.1.2.17 or later and 7.3.0.2 or later once patches are released. Until patches are available, implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges on systems running the affected software. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection to monitor for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Conduct thorough input validation and memory safety audits in custom integrations with RTI Connext Professional to reduce attack surface. Network segmentation should isolate critical systems to prevent lateral movement from compromised hosts. Regularly review and update security policies to restrict unnecessary local access, and train staff to recognize insider threat indicators. Additionally, monitor vendor advisories for patches or workarounds and test updates in controlled environments before deployment to avoid operational disruptions.