CVE-2024-42850 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Silverpeas versions 6.4.2 and earlier. The issue lies in the password change functionality, where the system fails to enforce password complexity requirements, allowing attackers to bypass these controls. This weakness is classified under CWE-521, which relates to the use of weak or insufficiently complex passwords. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). Successful exploitation enables an attacker to set weak passwords for user accounts, undermining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical severity. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the simplicity of exploitation and the critical impact make it a significant threat. Silverpeas is an enterprise collaboration and content management platform used by various organizations to manage internal communications and documents. The vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or disrupt services by compromising user accounts. No official patches or fixes have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from administrators. The flaw highlights the importance of robust password policies and secure implementation of authentication mechanisms in web applications.

The impact of CVE-2024-42850 is severe for organizations using vulnerable Silverpeas versions. By bypassing password complexity requirements, attackers can set weak or easily guessable passwords, facilitating unauthorized access to user accounts. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized data modification, and potential service disruptions. The compromise of user credentials can also serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within an organization’s network, increasing the risk of widespread damage. Confidentiality is at high risk as sensitive documents and communications managed by Silverpeas may be exposed. Integrity is compromised because attackers can alter or delete content. Availability may also be affected if attackers disrupt services or lock out legitimate users. The vulnerability’s remote and unauthenticated exploitability means attackers can attempt exploitation at scale, increasing the threat surface. Organizations in sectors such as government, finance, education, and healthcare that rely on Silverpeas for collaboration are particularly vulnerable to operational and reputational damage. The lack of current known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation before active attacks emerge.

1. Monitor Silverpeas vendor communications closely for official patches addressing CVE-2024-42850 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, enforce external password complexity policies via integration with centralized authentication systems (e.g., LDAP, Active Directory) to override Silverpeas’ native password controls. 3. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of compromised credentials being abused. 4. Audit and monitor password change logs and account activities for unusual patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Restrict access to the password change functionality through network segmentation or web application firewalls to limit exposure. 6. Educate users about the importance of strong passwords and the risks of weak credentials. 7. Consider temporary disabling of password change features if feasible until a fix is applied. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms to detect similar weaknesses. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on compensating controls and proactive monitoring tailored to this vulnerability’s characteristics.