CVE-2024-51111 identifies a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Pnetlab version 5.3.11, a network simulation platform. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input that is reflected or stored and then rendered in web pages without adequate filtering. This flaw allows an attacker with at least limited privileges (PR:L) to inject malicious JavaScript code into the web interface. When other users view the affected pages, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to information disclosure such as session tokens or other sensitive data accessible via the browser environment. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring the attacker to be able to send crafted requests over the network. User interaction is required (UI:R), meaning the victim must visit or interact with the maliciously crafted page or content. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:L) but does not affect integrity or availability. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the attacker’s privileges, potentially impacting other users. No known public exploits or patches are currently available, and the vulnerability was published in January 2025. The CWE classification is CWE-79, which corresponds to improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Given the medium CVSS score of 4.1, the vulnerability is moderate in severity but warrants timely remediation to prevent exploitation.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-51111 is the potential compromise of user confidentiality within the Pnetlab web interface. An attacker exploiting this XSS vulnerability can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users’ browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information accessible via the browser. This can lead to account hijacking or unauthorized access to restricted areas of the application. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, successful exploitation could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations relying on Pnetlab for network simulation, training, or testing may face risks of data leakage or unauthorized access to simulation environments. The requirement for user interaction and limited privileges reduces the immediacy of the threat but does not eliminate it. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits active risk, but the vulnerability remains a concern for organizations with exposed or widely used Pnetlab instances.

To mitigate CVE-2024-51111, organizations should implement multiple layers of defense: 1) Apply strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data within Pnetlab interfaces to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 2) Use context-appropriate output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) when rendering user input in web pages to neutralize potential XSS payloads. 3) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of any injected code. 4) Enforce least privilege principles to limit user permissions, reducing the risk that a low-privilege user can inject harmful content. 5) Monitor web application logs for suspicious input patterns or repeated attempts to inject scripts. 6) Keep Pnetlab installations isolated from public networks or restrict access via VPN or firewall rules to reduce exposure. 7) Stay alert for official patches or updates from the vendor and apply them promptly once available. 8) Educate users to avoid interacting with suspicious links or content within the Pnetlab environment. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and address the specific nature of this XSS vulnerability.