CVE-2024-24808 is an open redirect vulnerability identified in pyLoad, an open-source download manager written in Python. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of URLs in the get_redirect_url function, which is responsible for redirecting users after login. Specifically, pyLoad versions up to and including 0.4.20 do not adequately verify that the redirect URL is safe or belongs to a trusted domain, allowing an attacker to craft malicious URLs that redirect users to untrusted or potentially harmful external sites. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-601 (URL Redirection to Untrusted Site). The vulnerability requires no privileges to exploit but does require user interaction, as the user must follow a crafted link. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.7 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed, and limited impact on confidentiality only. There is no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability has been patched in a commit identified as fe94451, which presumably corrects the URL validation logic to ensure redirects only occur to trusted URLs. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability could be leveraged in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks to redirect users to malicious sites, potentially leading to credential theft or malware infection, although the vulnerability itself does not directly compromise system integrity or availability.

For European organizations using pyLoad, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily in the context of user trust and phishing susceptibility. Attackers could exploit the open redirect to craft URLs that appear to originate from a legitimate pyLoad instance but redirect users to malicious websites. This could facilitate credential harvesting, distribution of malware, or other social engineering attacks. While the vulnerability does not directly allow unauthorized access or system compromise, it can be a stepping stone in multi-stage attacks targeting employees or users of affected organizations. The impact is particularly relevant for organizations relying on pyLoad for automated downloads or file management, especially if integrated into broader workflows. Given the medium severity and the need for user interaction, the threat is more significant in environments where users are less trained in recognizing phishing attempts or where pyLoad is exposed to external users or clients. Additionally, the scope of impact is limited to confidentiality, with no direct effect on data integrity or system availability.

European organizations should immediately update pyLoad installations to versions later than 0.4.20 where the vulnerability is patched. If updating is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement input validation controls at the web server or application gateway level to restrict redirect URLs to trusted domains only. Security teams should audit existing pyLoad configurations and logs for suspicious redirect URLs or unusual user redirection patterns. User awareness training should emphasize caution when clicking on links, especially those involving login redirects. Additionally, organizations can implement web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that could be used in redirection attacks. Monitoring for phishing campaigns that leverage pyLoad branding or URLs is also recommended. Finally, developers maintaining pyLoad forks or integrations should review and harden URL validation logic to prevent similar open redirect issues.