CVE-2024-44655 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Complaint Management System version 2.0. The vulnerability resides in the search parameter of the user-search.php script, where insufficient input sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code. When a victim accesses a crafted URL containing the malicious payload, the script executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or theft of sensitive information. This type of vulnerability exploits the trust a user places in a legitimate web application, enabling attackers to bypass same-origin policies. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and assigned CVE-2024-44655. The lack of a CVSS score limits precise severity quantification, but the technical characteristics suggest a moderate risk. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction to trigger the malicious script. The affected product is niche, limiting the scope of impact, but organizations relying on this complaint management system for handling sensitive user complaints could face reputational damage and data leakage. The absence of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be available, increasing the urgency for interim mitigations such as input validation and output encoding.

For European organizations, exploitation of this XSS vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive complaint data, session hijacking, and potential manipulation of complaint records. This can undermine trust in public-facing complaint management portals, especially in sectors like government, healthcare, and consumer protection where complaint data is sensitive. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is moderate, as attackers can steal user credentials or perform actions on behalf of victims. Availability impact is minimal as the vulnerability does not directly cause denial of service. However, successful exploitation could lead to broader attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Organizations handling large volumes of citizen or customer complaints are at higher risk, potentially affecting compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. The reputational damage and regulatory penalties could be significant if personal data is compromised. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially if attackers develop proof-of-concept exploits.

European organizations using PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 2.0 should immediately implement strict input validation and output encoding on the search parameter in user-search.php to prevent script injection. Deploying a Content Security Policy (CSP) can help restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the search parameter. User awareness training should emphasize caution when clicking on links, especially those received via email or untrusted sources. Monitoring web logs for unusual query strings can help detect attempted exploitation. If possible, isolate the complaint management system from the internet or restrict access to trusted users until a patch is available. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches. Regularly update and audit web application components for security compliance. Finally, ensure incident response plans include procedures for handling XSS incidents and potential data breaches.