CVE-2024-22646 is an email address enumeration vulnerability identified in the password reset functionality of SEO Panel version 4.10.0. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to determine whether specific email addresses exist within the system. The flaw arises because the password reset process responds differently based on the existence of the email address submitted, thereby leaking information through response behavior or messages. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-209 (Information Exposure Through an Error Message). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and limited impact confined to confidentiality (disclosure of email existence). There is no known exploit in the wild, and no patch links have been provided at this time. The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, but it compromises confidentiality by allowing attackers to enumerate valid user emails, which can be leveraged for targeted phishing, social engineering, or brute force attacks.

For European organizations using SEO Panel 4.10.0, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to user privacy and confidentiality. Disclosure of valid email addresses can facilitate spear-phishing campaigns, credential stuffing, or further targeted attacks against employees or customers. While the vulnerability itself does not allow direct system compromise, it lowers the barrier for attackers to identify valid accounts, increasing the likelihood of successful subsequent attacks. Organizations handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., GDPR-protected personal information) may face compliance risks if user data is indirectly exposed. The impact is more pronounced for organizations with large user bases or those in sectors frequently targeted by cybercriminals, such as finance, healthcare, or government. However, since SEO Panel is a niche SEO management tool, the overall exposure is limited to organizations that deploy this specific software.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Apply any vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available. 2) If no patch exists, modify the password reset functionality to provide uniform responses regardless of email validity, thereby preventing attackers from distinguishing valid from invalid emails. 3) Implement rate limiting and CAPTCHA mechanisms on the password reset endpoint to hinder automated enumeration attempts. 4) Monitor logs for unusual password reset requests or enumeration patterns. 5) Educate users about phishing risks and encourage strong, unique passwords combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of credential-based attacks. 6) Consider restricting password reset functionality to authenticated users or internal networks if feasible. 7) Conduct regular security assessments of web applications to detect similar information disclosure issues.