CVE-2024-30148 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) affecting HCL Software's product HCL Leap versions prior to 9.3.8. The vulnerability arises from improper access control on a specific endpoint within HCL Leap that allows certain administrative users to import applications directly from the server's filesystem. This means that admin users, who presumably have elevated privileges within the application, can exploit this flaw to import potentially unauthorized or malicious applications from locations on the server that should be restricted or inaccessible. The vulnerability does not appear to require exploitation by non-privileged users, but the improper access control weakens the security boundary that should limit what admin users can do, potentially enabling privilege escalation or unauthorized code execution within the context of the HCL Leap environment. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, although the affected versions are clearly identified as those below 9.3.8. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2024 and published in April 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. HCL Leap is a low-code application development platform used by enterprises to build and deploy business applications rapidly, often integrating with critical business processes and data. Improper access control in such a platform can lead to unauthorized application imports, which may introduce malicious logic, data exfiltration capabilities, or disrupt business workflows.

For European organizations using HCL Leap, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized application imports by admin users, potentially resulting in the deployment of malicious or unauthorized applications within their business environment. This can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive business data, disrupt operational availability, and lead to compliance violations, especially under strict data protection regulations like GDPR. Since HCL Leap is often integrated into enterprise workflows, exploitation could enable lateral movement within the network or the introduction of backdoors. The impact is particularly significant for sectors relying heavily on custom business applications such as finance, manufacturing, and public administration. Given that exploitation requires admin-level access, the risk is heightened in environments where admin credentials are shared, poorly managed, or where insider threats exist. The absence of known active exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure.

1. Immediate upgrade to HCL Leap version 9.3.8 or later once available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict and audit admin user privileges rigorously to ensure only trusted personnel have access to administrative functions, minimizing the risk of insider misuse. 3. Implement strict filesystem access controls on the server hosting HCL Leap to limit what can be imported, including using OS-level permissions and application sandboxing. 4. Monitor application import logs and audit trails for unusual or unauthorized import activities to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 5. Employ network segmentation to isolate HCL Leap servers from broader enterprise networks, reducing lateral movement possibilities if exploitation occurs. 6. Conduct regular security awareness training for admin users emphasizing the risks of improper application imports and the importance of credential security. 7. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behaviors related to application imports or execution. 8. Engage with HCL support and subscribe to their security advisories to receive timely updates and patches.