CVE-2024-4940 is classified as a CWE-601 open redirect vulnerability found in the gradio-app/gradio project, a popular tool for building machine learning and AI web interfaces. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied URL parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that redirect users to attacker-controlled sites. This redirection can be leveraged for phishing campaigns by deceiving users into visiting fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate services. Additionally, it can facilitate Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks by redirecting to pages that execute malicious scripts or Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) by manipulating server requests through the redirect mechanism. The CVSS 3.0 score of 5.4 indicates a medium severity level, with attack vector being network-based, no privileges required, but user interaction necessary. The scope is unchanged, and the impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or exploits are currently documented, but the vulnerability's presence in a widely used open-source project poses a risk, especially as Gradio is often integrated into AI and data science workflows. The lack of explicit affected versions suggests the issue may be present in recent or all versions prior to a fix. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and secure URL handling in web applications.

For European organizations, the open redirect vulnerability in gradio-app/gradio can lead to significant security risks, particularly in sectors adopting AI and interactive web applications, such as finance, healthcare, and research institutions. Attackers exploiting this flaw can redirect users to malicious sites to harvest credentials, deliver malware, or conduct social engineering attacks, undermining user trust and potentially causing data breaches. The vulnerability may also be chained with other exploits like XSS or SSRF to escalate attacks, compromising internal systems or sensitive data. Since Gradio is used to build interfaces for machine learning models, exploitation could disrupt AI workflows or leak confidential model information. The medium severity rating suggests moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation via crafted URLs and the reliance on user interaction means phishing campaigns could be effective. European organizations with public-facing Gradio apps or internal deployments accessible over the network are at risk. Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised, and operational disruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4940, organizations should implement strict validation of all URL parameters used for redirection, ensuring only trusted and whitelisted domains are allowed. Employing allowlists for redirect targets prevents arbitrary external redirects. Developers should update gradio-app/gradio to the latest patched version once available and monitor the project for security advisories. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. User education is critical; training users to recognize suspicious URLs and phishing attempts can reduce successful exploitation. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block open redirect patterns can provide an additional layer of defense. For internal deployments, restricting access to trusted networks and using authentication controls can limit exposure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on URL handling and input validation should be conducted. Finally, logging and monitoring redirect activities can help detect exploitation attempts early.