CVE-2023-36375 is a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Hostel Management System version 2.1. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding in several user-controllable parameters on the Book Hostel & Room Details page, specifically the Guardian name, Guardian relation, complimentary address, city, permanent address, and city fields. An attacker can craft malicious payloads injected into these parameters, which when rendered by a victim's browser, execute arbitrary JavaScript code. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information such as cookies or credentials, or redirecting users to malicious websites. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any unauthenticated attacker can exploit it by tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted URL or submitting malicious data. There are no known public exploits or patches at the time of publication, increasing the risk of zero-day exploitation. The lack of a CVSS score suggests this vulnerability has not yet been fully assessed, but the nature of reflected or stored XSS in a web application handling sensitive user data is significant. The affected system is primarily used in hostel management, likely in educational or hospitality environments, where personal data is processed. The vulnerability could be exploited to compromise user sessions or escalate attacks within the network. The absence of CWE identifiers and patch links indicates limited public information and remediation guidance, emphasizing the need for immediate security reviews by affected organizations.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions, hostels, or hospitality providers using Hostel Management System v2.1 or similar software, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, theft of personal data, and potential compromise of internal networks if attackers leverage stolen credentials. The breach of confidentiality and integrity of user data can result in regulatory penalties under GDPR, reputational damage, and loss of trust from students, guests, or customers. Additionally, attackers could use the XSS vulnerability as a stepping stone for phishing campaigns or malware distribution targeting European users. The lack of authentication requirement and ease of exploitation increase the threat level. Organizations with limited web application security controls or outdated software are particularly vulnerable. The impact extends beyond individual users to organizational operations, potentially disrupting hostel booking processes and administrative functions.

To mitigate CVE-2023-36375, organizations should immediately implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields, especially those identified as vulnerable (Guardian name, Guardian relation, complimentary address, city, permanent address). Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on XSS vectors within the Hostel Management System. If possible, isolate the affected application from critical internal networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. Educate users about phishing risks and suspicious links that could exploit this vulnerability. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or error messages indicating attempted exploitation. Engage with the software vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. If no patch is available, consider temporary workarounds such as web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the vulnerable parameters.