CVE-2024-23505 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook – DearPDF product up to version 2.0.38. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are persistently stored and later executed in the context of users viewing the affected PDF viewer or flipbook. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L) reveals that the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges, and user interaction is needed to trigger the exploit. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level, as the attacker can execute arbitrary scripts that may steal session tokens, manipulate displayed content, or cause denial of service. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because stored XSS can affect multiple users and persist over time, increasing the attack surface. The DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook is a web-based component used to display PDF documents with interactive 3D flipbook effects, commonly embedded in websites or web applications. Improper input sanitization during page generation allows malicious payloads to be stored and executed when users access the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the user’s browser context.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses risks primarily to web applications or portals that embed the DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook component. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data leakage, or manipulation of displayed content, impacting confidentiality and integrity. This is especially critical for sectors handling sensitive information such as finance, healthcare, government, and education. The stored nature of the XSS means multiple users can be affected once malicious content is injected. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged for phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting European users. The medium severity score reflects that while the vulnerability requires some user interaction and privileges, the potential for cross-site contamination and data compromise is significant. Organizations relying on this product for document display or interactive content should consider the risk of reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and operational disruption if exploited.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook component from public-facing websites until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data that is rendered in the PDF viewer interface to prevent script injection. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 4. Monitor web application logs and user reports for suspicious activity indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. 5. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to input sanitization and context-aware escaping. 6. Once a vendor patch is released, prioritize timely application of updates. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules tuned to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this component. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application components handling dynamic content rendering.