CVE-2024-41453 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Process Maker pm4core-docker version 4.1.21-RC7. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization in the Name parameter, allowing attackers to inject crafted payloads containing arbitrary web scripts or HTML. When a victim user interacts with the malicious payload, the injected scripts execute within their browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or data theft within the application scope. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack requires network access (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), but high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is low (C:L, I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no official patches have been published as of the report date. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, a common category for XSS issues. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially in workflow automation platforms like Process Maker, which are often used in enterprise environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-41453 is the potential compromise of user session integrity and confidentiality within affected Process Maker instances. Attackers with high privileges can craft malicious payloads that, when executed by other users, may lead to unauthorized actions, data exposure, or manipulation of workflow processes. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability, the integrity and confidentiality impacts could disrupt business operations relying on Process Maker for critical workflow automation. The requirement for high privileges and user interaction limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple privileged users or where social engineering could induce interaction. Organizations using the vulnerable version may face risks of insider threats or targeted attacks aiming to escalate privileges or exfiltrate sensitive workflow data. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but underscores the need for proactive mitigation to prevent future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-41453, organizations should first verify if they are running Process Maker pm4core-docker version 4.1.21-RC7 and plan to upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, implement strict input validation and output encoding on the Name parameter to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. Limit the number of users with high privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation and enforce multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access. Conduct user training to recognize and avoid interacting with suspicious inputs or links. Monitor application logs for unusual activity related to the Name parameter and consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this vulnerability. Regularly review and update security policies to incorporate lessons learned from this vulnerability.