CVE-2024-22938 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in BossCMS version 1.3.0, specifically involving insecure permissions within the admin.class.php component's init function. This vulnerability allows a local attacker—someone with some level of access to the system—to execute arbitrary code and escalate their privileges. The root cause is improper permission checks (CWE-863), which enable unauthorized actions that should be restricted. The vulnerability requires local access (Attack Vector: Local) and low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with limited technical skill but local access can exploit it without user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as the attacker can execute arbitrary code, potentially gaining full control over the affected system. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability suggests a significant risk if exploited. The lack of vendor or product-specific details limits precise identification, but the affected software is BossCMS 1.3.0, a content management system. The vulnerability was published on January 30, 2024, and is tracked under CVE-2024-22938.

For European organizations using BossCMS 1.3.0, this vulnerability poses a serious risk. An attacker with local access—such as a disgruntled employee, contractor, or someone who gains initial foothold through other means—could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. This could lead to full system compromise, data breaches, defacement of websites, or disruption of services. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, sensitive data managed by BossCMS could be exposed or manipulated. This is particularly critical for organizations handling personal data under GDPR, as breaches could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The requirement for local access somewhat limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or chained attacks exploiting other vulnerabilities to gain local access increase the risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the urgency for remediation.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of BossCMS, confirming if version 1.3.0 is deployed. If so, restrict local access to trusted users only and implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems running BossCMS. Since no patch links are currently available, organizations should contact the vendor or community for updates or workarounds. In the interim, consider disabling or restricting the admin.class.php component's init function if feasible, or isolate the CMS environment to minimize impact. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for unusual privilege escalation or code execution activities. Regularly review user permissions and logs for suspicious activity. Additionally, implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised local accounts. Prepare incident response plans to quickly address any exploitation attempts. Finally, stay alert for vendor patches or community advisories to apply fixes promptly once available.