CVE-2024-23553 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Web Reports component of the HCL BigFix Platform, specifically affecting versions 9.5 through 9.5.23 and 10 through 10.0.10. The vulnerability arises due to the absence of a specific HTTP header attribute that would normally help mitigate XSS attacks, such as Content-Security-Policy or proper output encoding. This flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users of the platform. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which pertains to improper neutralization of input during web page generation. According to the CVSS v3.1 scoring, the vulnerability has a score of 3.0, indicating a low severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N) reveals that the attack can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), needs low privileges (PR:L), and requires user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the security scope of the vulnerable component. The impact is limited to integrity (I:L) with no impact on confidentiality or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability could be exploited by tricking an authenticated user with low privileges into clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page, leading to script execution in their browser context within the BigFix Web Reports interface. This could allow limited manipulation of displayed data or session-based actions but does not directly compromise sensitive data confidentiality or system availability.

For European organizations using HCL BigFix Platform versions 9.5 to 10.0.10, this vulnerability poses a limited but non-negligible risk. Since BigFix is widely used for endpoint management and patching in enterprise environments, exploitation could allow attackers to execute scripts in the context of legitimate users, potentially leading to session hijacking, unauthorized actions within the Web Reports interface, or manipulation of displayed information. Although the confidentiality impact is rated none, integrity is low, meaning attackers could alter the appearance or behavior of reports, potentially misleading administrators or causing operational confusion. The requirement for user interaction and low privileges reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation, but targeted phishing or social engineering attacks could be effective. European organizations with strict compliance requirements or those relying heavily on BigFix for security management might face operational risks or reputational damage if such attacks occur. The absence of known exploits and patches suggests the threat is currently low but should be monitored closely to prevent escalation.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict access to the Web Reports component of BigFix to trusted users only, minimizing exposure. 2) Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and ensure HTTP response headers such as X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame-Options, and X-XSS-Protection are properly configured to reduce XSS risks. 3) Educate users on phishing and social engineering risks, emphasizing caution when clicking links or opening attachments, especially within the BigFix user base. 4) Monitor network traffic and logs for unusual activity related to the Web Reports interface, including anomalous URL parameters or script injections. 5) Engage with HCL Software support to obtain any forthcoming patches or workarounds and apply them promptly once available. 6) Consider implementing web application firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting XSS attack patterns on the BigFix Web Reports endpoint. 7) Conduct internal penetration testing and code reviews focusing on input validation and output encoding in the Web Reports component to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.