CVE-2024-44450 is a medium severity authorization bypass vulnerability identified in the AIMS eCrew software suite. The flaw resides in multiple functions where authorization checks are insufficient or improperly implemented, allowing users with limited privileges to bypass access controls and perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-639, which relates to authorization bypass issues. Exploitation requires network access (AV:N), has low attack complexity (AC:L), and requires privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent (C:L, I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 7, 2025, and fixed in the JUN23 #190 release of AIMS eCrew. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to access or modify sensitive data or perform unauthorized operations within the system, potentially leading to data leakage or unauthorized changes in crew management processes. Given the nature of the software, which is used for crew management in maritime or transportation sectors, the vulnerability could have operational and regulatory compliance implications if exploited.

The authorization bypass in AIMS eCrew can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive crew data and unauthorized modification of records, impacting confidentiality and integrity. This could result in exposure of personal information, manipulation of crew schedules, or falsification of credentials, which may disrupt operations or lead to regulatory violations. Although availability is not affected, the integrity and confidentiality breaches could undermine trust in the system and cause operational inefficiencies. Organizations relying on AIMS eCrew for crew management may face compliance risks, reputational damage, and potential financial losses if the vulnerability is exploited. The medium severity rating reflects the moderate impact combined with the need for some privileges to exploit. Since no known exploits exist yet, the immediate risk is moderate but could increase if exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate CVE-2024-44450, organizations should promptly update AIMS eCrew to the JUN23 #190 version or later where the vulnerability is fixed. Until patching is complete, restrict network access to the application to trusted users and networks only, employing network segmentation and firewall rules. Implement strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and regularly audit user privileges to ensure minimal necessary permissions. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or privilege escalations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Conduct security awareness training for administrators and users to recognize suspicious activities. Additionally, coordinate with the vendor for any interim mitigations or security advisories. Regularly review and update security policies related to crew management systems to incorporate lessons learned from this vulnerability.