CVE-2024-11404 is a vulnerability identified in django Filer, a file management application integrated with django CMS, affecting versions prior to 3.3. The issue is categorized under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) and CWE-80 (Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page), which together enable attackers to upload files containing malicious content without sufficient validation. This lack of restriction allows an attacker with at least limited privileges (PR:L) to upload files that can contain executable scripts. When these files are rendered or accessed by users, the embedded scripts execute in the context of the victim’s browser, resulting in stored cross-site scripting (XSS). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, albeit at a limited scope and impact level. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of uploaded content, allowing script tags or other malicious HTML to persist in the system. This can lead to session hijacking, defacement, or other malicious actions executed by victim users. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The vulnerability affects a widely used open-source CMS component, making it relevant for many web applications relying on django CMS for content management and file handling.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-11404 can be significant, especially for those operating public-facing websites or intranet portals using django CMS with django Filer. Successful exploitation could lead to stored XSS attacks, enabling attackers to steal user credentials, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or deliver malware. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of user data and can damage organizational reputation. Availability may also be affected if attackers leverage the vulnerability to inject disruptive scripts. Sectors such as government, education, healthcare, and e-commerce, which often use open-source CMS platforms, are particularly at risk. The medium severity score indicates that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable without some privileges and user interaction, the widespread use of django CMS in Europe increases the attack surface. Additionally, regulatory frameworks like GDPR impose strict data protection requirements, and exploitation could lead to compliance violations and financial penalties.

1. Upgrade django Filer to version 3.3 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. 2. Implement strict server-side validation of uploaded files, restricting allowed file types and scanning for embedded scripts or malicious content. 3. Employ content security policies (CSP) to limit the impact of any injected scripts. 4. Sanitize all user-generated content before rendering it in web pages to neutralize script tags and other executable code. 5. Limit upload permissions to trusted users and enforce strong authentication and authorization controls. 6. Monitor logs for unusual file upload activity and conduct regular security audits of the CMS environment. 7. Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks that could facilitate exploitation requiring user interaction. 8. Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting XSS and file upload abuse patterns. These measures collectively reduce the risk of exploitation beyond simply patching the vulnerability.