CVE-2024-26269 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Frontend JS module's portlet.js component of Liferay Portal versions 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.37, as well as Liferay DXP versions 7.4 before update 38, 7.3 before update 11, and 7.2 before fix pack 20, including older unsupported versions. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML via the anchor (hash) portion of a URL. This part of the URL is typically used client-side and not sent to the server, but in this case, the vulnerable JavaScript code processes it insecurely, leading to script injection. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction beyond visiting a crafted URL, making it a client-side attack vector. The injected scripts can execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of arbitrary actions on behalf of the user. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in widely used versions of Liferay Portal and DXP—platforms commonly deployed for enterprise web content management and intranet portals—makes it a significant concern. The lack of an official patch link suggests that remediation may require applying vendor updates or workarounds once available. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting the moderate risk posed by XSS in this context.

For European organizations using Liferay Portal or Liferay DXP within the affected version ranges, this vulnerability can lead to significant security risks. Successful exploitation could compromise user session integrity, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the portal environment. This is particularly critical for organizations relying on Liferay for internal communications, document management, or customer-facing portals where sensitive personal or business data is handled. The impact extends to potential reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (especially under GDPR if personal data is exposed), and operational disruption. Since the vulnerability exploits client-side script injection, it can be leveraged in phishing campaigns targeting employees or customers, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known active exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability is publicly disclosed. Organizations with high-value targets or sensitive data hosted on Liferay platforms should consider this vulnerability a priority for mitigation.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting or sanitizing the anchor (hash) portion of URLs processed by the portal's frontend JavaScript. Organizations can implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict sources of executable scripts, thereby reducing the impact of injected code. 2. Monitor and filter incoming URLs to the portal, especially those containing hash fragments, through web application firewalls (WAFs) configured with custom rules to detect and block suspicious script patterns. 3. Educate users to avoid clicking on untrusted or suspicious links that may contain malicious payloads in the URL fragment. 4. Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available; maintain close communication with Liferay support channels for official remediation guidance. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on client-side input handling within the portal's frontend modules to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. 6. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session management best practices to limit the impact of session hijacking attempts resulting from XSS exploitation. 7. Regularly audit and update third-party components and dependencies to ensure no residual vulnerabilities remain in the portal environment.