CVE-2024-50615 identifies a vulnerability in the TinyXML2 library, specifically in versions through 10.0.0. The flaw exists in the XMLUtil::GetCharacterRef function within tinyxml2.cpp, where an assertion can be triggered when processing certain character references involving UINT_MAX or digit values. This assertion failure is reachable during normal XML parsing operations, causing the application to exit abruptly. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-617 (Reachable Assertion), indicating that an attacker can deliberately cause the assertion to fail by supplying maliciously crafted XML input. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), no impact on confidentiality or integrity (C:N/I:N), but high impact on availability (A:H). This means an attacker can remotely trigger this denial-of-service condition by enticing a user or system to process a malicious XML document. No patches or exploits are currently documented, but the vulnerability poses a risk to any application relying on TinyXML2 for XML parsing, including embedded systems, IoT devices, and software components in various industries.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-50615 is denial of service caused by application crashes when processing malicious XML input. This can disrupt services, degrade user experience, and potentially cause system instability in environments where TinyXML2 is embedded. Since TinyXML2 is widely used in embedded systems, IoT devices, and software applications requiring lightweight XML parsing, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of products globally. Although it does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can be significant, especially in critical systems where uptime is essential. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without authentication but require user interaction, such as opening or processing a crafted XML file. This could lead to service interruptions in consumer devices, industrial control systems, or software applications, potentially causing operational and reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50615, organizations should first monitor for updates or patches from the TinyXML2 maintainers and apply them promptly once available. In the absence of an official patch, developers should consider implementing input validation and sanitization to detect and reject XML documents containing suspicious character references or unusually large digit values that could trigger the assertion. Employing application-level exception handling around XML parsing routines can prevent crashes from propagating and allow graceful recovery. Additionally, restricting the processing of untrusted XML input or isolating XML parsing components in sandboxed environments can reduce the risk of denial of service. Security teams should also audit software dependencies to identify all instances of TinyXML2 usage and prioritize remediation in critical systems. Finally, educating users about the risks of processing untrusted XML files can help reduce the likelihood of exploitation.