CVE-2024-30152 identifies a vulnerability in HCL Software's HCL SX version 21, stemming from the use of a weak or broken cryptographic algorithm (classified under CWE-327). This cryptographic weakness implies that the encryption or hashing mechanisms employed by the software do not meet current security standards, potentially allowing attackers to bypass cryptographic protections. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable an attacker to access sensitive information, such as confidential data or credentials, or to modify data undetected, thereby compromising data integrity. The vulnerability arises because the cryptographic algorithm used is susceptible to cryptanalysis or other attacks that reduce the effort required to break the encryption compared to robust algorithms. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this weakness poses a latent risk. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting further increases the urgency for organizations to assess their exposure. Given that HCL SX is an enterprise software product, often used for content management and collaboration, the cryptographic weakness could affect data confidentiality and integrity within organizational workflows. The vulnerability does not specify if authentication or user interaction is required, but given the nature of cryptographic weaknesses, exploitation could be possible remotely if encrypted data or communications are accessible to an attacker. The medium severity rating reflects the potential for significant impact balanced against the absence of known active exploitation and the requirement for specific conditions to exploit the weakness.

For European organizations using HCL SX v21, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive business information, intellectual property, or personal data protected under GDPR. Data modification risks could undermine trustworthiness of business processes, leading to operational disruptions or compliance violations. Given the software’s role in content management, attackers might manipulate documents or records, causing reputational damage or legal consequences. The cryptographic weakness could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers leverage decrypted credentials or tokens. Organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and strict compliance requirements. The absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation, but the medium severity indicates that the threat should not be underestimated, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is significant, while availability impact is less direct but possible if data tampering leads to system failures or loss of trust in data.

European organizations should immediately inventory their use of HCL SX v21 and assess exposure to the vulnerable cryptographic components. Since no patch is currently available, organizations should engage with HCL Software support to obtain timelines for remediation or recommended workarounds. In the interim, organizations should: 1) Limit network exposure of HCL SX instances by restricting access to trusted internal networks and VPNs. 2) Employ network-level encryption (e.g., TLS 1.3) to protect data in transit independently of the application’s cryptography. 3) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts targeting HCL SX. 4) Implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access that could leverage the cryptographic weakness. 5) Consider isolating or segmenting systems running HCL SX to contain potential compromises. 6) Prepare incident response plans that include scenarios involving cryptographic compromise. 7) Regularly review and update cryptographic policies to ensure use of strong, industry-standard algorithms. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on compensating controls and proactive monitoring tailored to the specific weakness in HCL SX.