CVE-2024-48709 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CodeAstro Membership Management System version 1.0, specifically within the membershipType parameter of the edit_type.php page. XSS vulnerabilities occur when an application includes untrusted input in web pages without proper validation or escaping, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim’s browser. In this case, an authenticated user with low privileges can inject malicious JavaScript code via the membershipType parameter. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4 reflects that the attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low attack complexity, privileges at the level of a logged-in user, and user interaction (such as clicking a crafted link) is necessary. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity partially but does not affect availability. No public exploit code or patches have been reported yet, which suggests that exploitation is possible but not widespread. The vulnerability could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or manipulate displayed data, potentially leading to further compromise within the membership management environment.

For European organizations using CodeAstro Membership Management System v1.0, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive membership data, session hijacking, or manipulation of membership types and related information. This could undermine trust in membership services, lead to privacy violations under GDPR, and disrupt organizational operations that rely on accurate membership data. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system availability, the integrity and confidentiality impacts could facilitate further attacks or data breaches. Organizations managing sensitive or regulated membership information, such as professional associations, clubs, or service providers, may face reputational damage and compliance risks if exploited. The requirement for user interaction and authenticated access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or weak internal controls.

To mitigate CVE-2024-48709, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on the membershipType parameter to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Employing a whitelist approach for allowed input values is recommended. Applying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. Access to edit_type.php should be limited to trusted users with a need to modify membership types, and multi-factor authentication should be enforced to reduce the risk of compromised credentials. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling can identify similar vulnerabilities. Since no official patch is currently available, organizations should consider temporary workarounds such as disabling or restricting the vulnerable functionality until a fix is released. User awareness training to recognize phishing or social engineering attempts that could trigger user interaction is also advisable.