CVE-2024-42763 identifies a reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Kashipara Bus Ticket Reservation System version 1.0, specifically within the /schedule.php page. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the bookingdate parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to inject malicious JavaScript code. When a victim user with legitimate access clicks a crafted URL containing the malicious payload, the injected script executes in their browser context. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability requires user interaction (clicking a malicious link) and privileges to access the affected page, limiting its exploitation scope. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting medium severity due to the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and the requirement for privileges and user interaction. The vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity but does not impact availability. No patches or known exploits are currently available, indicating the need for proactive mitigation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS attacks. Organizations using this ticketing system should implement strict input validation, output encoding, and consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block malicious payloads. Monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and educating users about phishing risks are also recommended.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-42763 is on the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the Kashipara Bus Ticket Reservation System. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially access sensitive personal or payment information. Attackers could also manipulate displayed content or redirect users to malicious websites, increasing the risk of further compromise. While availability is not directly affected, the breach of trust and data exposure can damage the reputation of organizations using this system. Given the requirement for user interaction and privileges, the attack surface is somewhat limited, but targeted phishing campaigns could increase risk. Organizations worldwide using this system, especially those handling large volumes of customer data, face risks of data leakage, fraud, and regulatory non-compliance if exploited. The absence of patches heightens the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for more advanced attacks within the affected network environment.

To mitigate CVE-2024-42763, organizations should implement strict input validation on the bookingdate parameter to reject or sanitize any suspicious or non-conforming input. Employing context-aware output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) before rendering user-supplied data in the web page is critical to prevent script execution. Deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the /schedule.php endpoint can provide an additional protective layer. User education is essential to reduce the risk of phishing attacks that could trick users into clicking malicious links. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Monitoring web server logs for unusual query strings or repeated attempts to exploit the bookingdate parameter can help detect attack attempts early. Until an official patch is released, consider restricting access to the affected page to trusted users or IP ranges where feasible. Finally, coordinate with the vendor or development team to prioritize the release of a security patch addressing this vulnerability.