CVE-2024-48807 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Doctor Appointment Management System version 1.0. This vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of the 'search' parameter, which allows an attacker with local access and privileges to inject malicious scripts. When a victim user interacts with the crafted search input, the injected script executes in the context of the web application, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network but requires low attack complexity, privileges, and user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are low but present, while availability is unaffected. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability's presence in a healthcare appointment system raises concerns about patient data confidentiality and system integrity. The lack of a patch necessitates immediate mitigation through input validation and access controls.

The vulnerability could allow attackers with local access to inject malicious scripts via the search parameter, leading to potential session hijacking, unauthorized data access, or manipulation of appointment data. This could compromise patient confidentiality and trust in healthcare services. Although the attack requires user interaction and some privileges, the impact on confidentiality and integrity is significant in a healthcare context where sensitive personal and medical data is handled. The vulnerability does not affect availability, so denial of service is unlikely. Organizations using this system may face regulatory and reputational risks if exploited. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once details are public. The medium severity score reflects a moderate risk that should be addressed promptly to prevent escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities.

1. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the 'search' parameter to neutralize any injected scripts before rendering output. Use established libraries or frameworks that automatically encode output to prevent XSS. 2. Apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 3. Limit access to the Doctor Appointment Management System to trusted users and enforce the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk of local attackers exploiting the vulnerability. 4. Monitor logs and user activities for unusual search parameter inputs or script execution attempts. 5. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted inputs and encourage cautious behavior when using the search functionality. 6. Follow up with PHPGurukul for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the search parameter.