CVE-2024-42197 identifies a security weakness in HCL Software's Workload Scheduler prior to version 10.2.3, where user credentials are stored in plaintext on the local filesystem. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-256, which pertains to the plaintext storage of sensitive information such as passwords. The vulnerability allows any local user with low privileges (PR:L) to access these stored credentials without requiring any user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have some level of access to the system but does not need elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the high impact on confidentiality (C:H) but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), indicating the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk lies in the potential for credential theft, which could facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation if attackers gain local access. The vulnerability arises from insecure storage practices within the Workload Scheduler, which is used for automating and managing batch workloads and job scheduling in enterprise environments.

For European organizations, the exposure of plaintext credentials in HCL Workload Scheduler can lead to significant confidentiality breaches. Attackers with local access could extract passwords and use them to access other systems or services, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks. This is particularly critical for industries relying heavily on automation and batch processing, such as finance, manufacturing, and telecommunications, where Workload Scheduler is commonly deployed. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but can indirectly facilitate more severe attacks if credentials are misused. Given the medium CVSS score and the requirement for local access, the threat is moderate but should not be underestimated, especially in environments with multiple users or shared access. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for remediation.

Organizations should upgrade HCL Workload Scheduler to version 10.2.3 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict local access to systems running the Workload Scheduler to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk of unauthorized credential exposure. Implement strict file system permissions to protect credential storage locations, ensuring that only necessary service accounts and administrators have read access. Consider encrypting sensitive configuration files or credentials externally if supported by the environment. Regularly audit and monitor local user activities and access logs to detect any unauthorized attempts to access credential files. Additionally, employ network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of compromised credentials. Finally, educate system administrators about the risks of plaintext credential storage and encourage the use of secure credential management solutions.