CVE-2024-46910 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-80, indicating improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags leading to a basic cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in Apache Atlas, an open-source metadata management and governance platform widely used in big data environments. This vulnerability affects Apache Atlas versions 2.3.0 and earlier, including version 2.0.0. The flaw arises because the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input that is rendered in web pages, allowing an authenticated attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code. Once injected, this script can execute in the context of other users' browsers, enabling the attacker to impersonate other users, steal session tokens, or perform actions on their behalf. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have authenticated access, but does not require any user interaction from the victim, increasing the risk of automated exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N, indicating network attack vector, low complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, low confidentiality impact, high integrity impact, and no availability impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is significant due to the potential for privilege escalation and session hijacking within enterprise environments. Apache Atlas 2.4.0 includes fixes that properly sanitize inputs to prevent script injection, and upgrading is the recommended remediation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their metadata management systems. Apache Atlas is often integrated into big data and analytics platforms, which are critical for data governance, compliance, and operational decision-making. Exploitation could allow malicious insiders or compromised accounts to impersonate other users, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, manipulation of metadata, or disruption of governance processes. This could result in regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR, reputational damage, and operational risks. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised credentials are primary concerns. The lack of availability impact reduces the risk of service outages but does not diminish the threat to data integrity and confidentiality. Organizations relying on Apache Atlas for sensitive data environments in finance, healthcare, or government sectors in Europe should consider this vulnerability a high priority.

European organizations should immediately assess their Apache Atlas deployments to identify versions 2.3.0 and earlier in use. The primary mitigation is to upgrade to Apache Atlas version 2.4.0 or later, which contains the fix for this XSS vulnerability. Until upgrades can be performed, organizations should restrict access to Apache Atlas interfaces to trusted users only and enforce strong authentication and session management controls to reduce the risk of compromised credentials. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting Apache Atlas. Conduct regular security audits and input validation reviews on custom integrations with Atlas to ensure no additional injection vectors exist. Educate users about phishing and credential security to minimize the risk of account compromise. Monitor logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted XSS exploitation or user impersonation. Finally, apply the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of any compromised accounts.