CVE-2024-37856 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Lost and Found Information System version 1.0. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input in the first, last, and middle name fields on the User Profile page. An attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users or administrators, potentially escalating their privileges within the application. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring the attacker to be authenticated and to trick a user into interacting with the malicious payload (UI:R). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity (C:L, I:L) but does not affect availability (A:N). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed as of July 29, 2024. The CWE classification is CWE-79, which corresponds to improper neutralization of input leading to XSS. This vulnerability can be leveraged to steal session tokens, perform unauthorized actions, or manipulate user data, thereby escalating privileges within the system.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-37856 is on the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the Lost and Found Information System. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users, potentially stealing session cookies, hijacking accounts, or performing unauthorized actions. This can lead to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain higher-level access than originally permitted. While availability is not directly impacted, the breach of confidentiality and integrity can undermine trust in the system and lead to data leakage or unauthorized modifications. Organizations relying on this system for managing lost and found information may face reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance issues. The requirement for user interaction and some privilege level limits the ease of exploitation but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with many users or where social engineering is feasible.

To mitigate CVE-2024-37856, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields, particularly the first, last, and middle name fields on the User Profile page. Employ context-aware encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) to neutralize malicious scripts before rendering user input in the browser. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing focusing on XSS vulnerabilities. If possible, apply patches or updates from the vendor once available. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication and monitor user activities for suspicious behavior to reduce the impact of potential privilege escalation. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted links or content within the system. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with XSS detection capabilities as an additional layer of defense.