CVE-2024-24940 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-23) identified in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA versions prior to 2023.3.3. The flaw occurs during the unpacking of archive files within the IDE. Path traversal vulnerabilities allow an attacker to manipulate file paths to access directories and files outside the intended extraction directory. In this case, when a specially crafted archive is unpacked, it could cause files to be written to arbitrary locations on the file system. This can lead to unauthorized modification of files, potentially altering IDE configurations or injecting malicious files into the user's environment. The vulnerability requires local access with limited privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to exploit, as the user must open or unpack a malicious archive within the IDE. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 2.8 (low severity), reflecting limited impact on confidentiality and availability, with integrity impact possible through unauthorized file modifications. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time. The vulnerability is relevant for developers using IntelliJ IDEA, especially those who handle untrusted archive files within the IDE. Since the vulnerability affects the unpacking process, it could be leveraged to compromise development environments or inject malicious code into projects if exploited successfully.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-24940 is primarily on the integrity of development environments. Compromise of IDE environments can lead to the insertion of malicious code or backdoors into software projects, which may propagate into production systems if not detected. This risk is particularly significant for organizations relying heavily on IntelliJ IDEA for software development, including software vendors, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure sectors. Although the vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, social engineering or supply chain attacks could trick developers into opening malicious archives. The integrity compromise could undermine software supply chain security, a critical concern in Europe given recent regulatory focus on software security and resilience. However, the low CVSS score and lack of known exploits suggest the immediate risk is limited. Still, organizations should consider the potential downstream effects of compromised development tools on their overall cybersecurity posture.

1. Upgrade IntelliJ IDEA to version 2023.3.3 or later, where this vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict policies to avoid opening or unpacking archive files from untrusted or unknown sources within the IDE. 3. Use endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized file system modifications, especially in development environments. 4. Employ file integrity monitoring on critical development directories to detect unexpected changes. 5. Educate developers about the risks of opening untrusted archives and encourage verification of archive sources. 6. Consider sandboxing or isolating development environments to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Integrate secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices, including code reviews and automated scanning, to detect injected malicious code early.