CVE-2024-38888 is a vulnerability identified in Horizon Business Services Inc.'s Caterease software, specifically versions 16.0.1.1663 through 24.0.1.2405 and potentially later releases. The flaw arises from improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts, allowing a local attacker to conduct password brute forcing attacks. This means that the software does not adequately limit the number of login attempts, enabling an attacker with local access to repeatedly try different passwords without being locked out or delayed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-307, which pertains to improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.8, reflecting a medium severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. This indicates that the attack requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, with high impact on confidentiality, limited impact on integrity, and no impact on availability. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information by successfully guessing passwords, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive data managed by the Caterease system. Given the local access requirement, exploitation is limited to insiders or attackers who have already breached perimeter defenses. However, the lack of throttling or lockout mechanisms significantly lowers the barrier for successful brute force attacks once local access is obtained.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-38888 is on the confidentiality of systems running affected versions of Caterease software. Successful exploitation allows attackers to brute force passwords locally, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive business data. This can lead to data breaches, exposure of customer and business information, and unauthorized actions within the application. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, compromised accounts could be used to manipulate data or escalate privileges if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations relying on Caterease for hospitality or catering management may face operational disruptions and reputational damage if attackers exploit this flaw. The local access requirement limits the attack surface but insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds could leverage this vulnerability to deepen their access. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks, especially as threat actors often target software with weak authentication controls.

To mitigate CVE-2024-38888, organizations should implement strict account lockout policies that limit the number of failed login attempts and enforce delays or temporary bans after repeated failures. Monitoring authentication logs for unusual login attempts can help detect brute force activities early. Restricting local access to trusted personnel and systems reduces the risk of exploitation. Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible can significantly reduce the impact of password brute forcing. Until official patches or updates are released by Horizon Business Services Inc., consider isolating systems running vulnerable Caterease versions from untrusted users and networks. Regularly update and audit user credentials to ensure strong, unique passwords are in use. Additionally, organizations should engage with the vendor for timely patch releases and apply them promptly once available. Implementing endpoint security solutions that detect brute force patterns and anomalous behaviors can provide an additional layer of defense.