CVE-2024-50614 is a vulnerability identified in the TinyXML2 library, a widely used lightweight XML parser in C++ applications, present in versions through 10.0.0. The issue arises from a reachable assertion failure in the function XMLUtil::GetCharacterRef located in tinyxml2.cpp. Specifically, the assertion triggers when processing certain character references that cause an internal calculation involving UINT_MAX/16 to be reached, which is not properly handled. This assertion failure leads to an abrupt termination of the application using the library, effectively causing a denial of service (DoS). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-617 (Reachable Assertion), indicating that the assertion can be triggered by crafted input, making it reachable during normal execution with malicious XML data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released yet. The vulnerability primarily affects applications that parse XML data from untrusted sources using TinyXML2. Exploitation involves supplying specially crafted XML input that triggers the assertion failure, causing the application to exit unexpectedly. This can disrupt services or applications relying on TinyXML2 for XML parsing, potentially impacting availability and user experience.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-50614 is denial of service due to application crashes when processing malicious XML input. This can disrupt services or applications that rely on TinyXML2 for XML parsing, particularly those exposed to untrusted or external XML data sources. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can be significant for critical systems, such as embedded devices, IoT products, or server applications that depend on continuous XML processing. Organizations may face service interruptions, degraded user experience, or operational downtime. Additionally, denial of service conditions could be leveraged as part of a broader attack strategy to distract or exhaust resources. Since exploitation requires user interaction (e.g., submitting crafted XML), the risk is higher in environments where users or systems regularly process external XML data. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation. The medium severity score reflects these considerations, emphasizing the need for timely mitigation to prevent service disruption.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50614, organizations should first identify all software components and applications that use TinyXML2 versions up to 10.0.0. Since no official patches are currently available, temporary mitigations include implementing strict input validation and sanitization on all XML data before parsing, especially if sourced externally or from untrusted users. Employing XML schema validation or whitelisting acceptable XML constructs can reduce the risk of triggering the assertion. Where feasible, isolate XML parsing in sandboxed or containerized environments to limit the impact of crashes. Monitor application logs and crash reports for signs of assertion failures related to XML parsing. Developers should track TinyXML2 project updates closely and apply patches promptly once released. Additionally, consider upgrading to newer versions of TinyXML2 if and when they address this vulnerability. For critical systems, implementing fallback mechanisms or redundancy can help maintain availability during unexpected application exits. Finally, educating users and developers about the risks of processing untrusted XML can reduce inadvertent exploitation.