CVE-2024-41347 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the openflights project, specifically within the php/settings.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied input, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) shows that the attack can be performed remotely over the network without privileges, requires low attack complexity, no privileges, but does require user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, and it impacts confidentiality and integrity partially, but not availability. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability could be exploited by tricking users into clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page that interacts with the vulnerable settings.php endpoint, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application context.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-41347 depends largely on the use of the openflights application or similar vulnerable PHP-based web applications. If exploited, attackers could execute arbitrary scripts in users' browsers, leading to theft of session cookies, user credentials, or manipulation of user settings. This could compromise user accounts and lead to unauthorized access or data leakage. Given the vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability, the primary risk is data compromise and potential lateral movement within affected systems. Organizations in the aviation, travel, or logistics sectors using openflights or customized forks may face targeted attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability’s requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to facilitate exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often weaponize such vulnerabilities once publicly disclosed.

Immediate mitigation steps include reviewing and sanitizing all user inputs in the php/settings.php file to ensure proper encoding and filtering of potentially malicious characters. Employing established libraries or frameworks for input validation can reduce the risk of XSS. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Organizations should monitor web server logs and application behavior for unusual requests targeting settings.php or attempts to inject scripts. User awareness training to recognize phishing attempts can reduce the risk of user interaction exploitation. If possible, restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint or implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads. Finally, track updates from the openflights project or community for official patches and apply them promptly once available.