CVE-2024-41358 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpipam version 1.6, specifically located in the file app\admin\import-export\import-load-data.php. Phpipam is an open-source IP address management tool widely used for managing network address spaces. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in the import-load-data.php script, which is part of the administrative import-export feature. This flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 reflects a medium severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact metrics show limited confidentiality and integrity impacts (C:L, I:L) and no availability impact (A:N). Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the admin, or theft of sensitive data accessible via the admin interface. No public exploit code or active exploitation in the wild has been reported yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Since phpipam is often deployed in enterprise networks for IP address management, exploitation could compromise network management operations and data integrity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-41358 can be significant, especially for those relying on phpipam 1.6 for network infrastructure management. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of an authenticated administrator, leading to session hijacking, theft of credentials, or unauthorized changes to IP address records. This can disrupt network operations, cause misconfigurations, or expose sensitive network topology information. While availability is not directly affected, the integrity and confidentiality of network management data are at risk. Sectors such as telecommunications, finance, government, and critical infrastructure operators in Europe that depend on phpipam for IP address management are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for user interaction limits the attack vector to social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting administrators. However, given the privileged nature of the affected accounts, even limited exploitation can have cascading effects on network security and operational continuity.

To mitigate CVE-2024-41358, European organizations should first verify if they are running phpipam version 1.6 and specifically use the import-export administrative features. Immediate steps include restricting access to the import-load-data.php script to trusted administrators only, ideally via network segmentation or VPN access. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the import-export functionality to prevent script injection. If a patch is released by the phpipam maintainers, apply it promptly. In the absence of an official patch, consider disabling the import-export feature temporarily or applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this endpoint. Additionally, educate administrators about phishing risks and the importance of cautious interaction with untrusted inputs. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activity related to the import-export module. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups of phpipam configurations and data to enable recovery in case of compromise.