CVE-2024-48278 identifies a Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Phpgurukul User Registration & Login and User Management System version 3.2, specifically through the /edit-profile.php endpoint. CSRF vulnerabilities occur when a web application does not properly verify that requests modifying state originate from legitimate users, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that execute with the victim’s privileges. In this case, an attacker can cause an authenticated user to unknowingly submit a request that alters their profile information, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in user data. The vulnerability requires the victim to be logged in (PR:L) and to perform some user interaction (UI:R), such as clicking a malicious link or visiting a crafted webpage. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning it can be exploited remotely over the internet. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited degree (C:L/I:L/A:L), as unauthorized profile modifications could expose or corrupt user data and potentially disrupt user access. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. No patches or known exploits are currently available, highlighting the importance of proactive mitigation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which corresponds to CSRF issues. Given the nature of the system—a user registration and management platform—this vulnerability could be leveraged to undermine user trust and system integrity if exploited at scale.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-48278 is unauthorized modification of user profile data within the affected system, which can lead to compromised user information integrity and potential exposure of sensitive data. This can undermine user trust and the overall security posture of organizations relying on this system for user management. While the vulnerability does not directly allow remote code execution or full system compromise, it can facilitate further attacks by altering user credentials or profile settings. The requirement for user authentication and interaction limits the scope but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with high user activity and exposure to phishing or social engineering attacks. Organizations with web applications using this system may face reputational damage, compliance issues, and increased support costs if exploited. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but also means attackers could develop exploits if the vulnerability remains unpatched. The impact is more pronounced in sectors with sensitive user data such as education, healthcare, and e-commerce, where user profile integrity is critical.

To mitigate CVE-2024-48278, organizations should implement robust anti-CSRF protections such as synchronizer tokens or double-submit cookies on all state-changing endpoints, including /edit-profile.php. Validating the origin and referrer headers can provide additional request legitimacy checks. Enforcing strict session management policies, including short session timeouts and re-authentication for sensitive operations, reduces the window of opportunity for exploitation. User input validation and output encoding should be strengthened to prevent chained attacks. Educating users about phishing and social engineering risks can reduce the likelihood of user interaction with malicious content. Monitoring and logging profile changes can help detect suspicious activities early. If possible, upgrading to a patched or newer version of the software once available is recommended. In the interim, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block CSRF attack patterns targeting this endpoint. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on CSRF vulnerabilities will help maintain a strong security posture.