CVE-2024-52941 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Veritas Enterprise Vault prior to version 15.1 UPD882911. The flaw arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied parameters injected into HTTP requests when viewing archived content. An authenticated remote attacker can exploit this by injecting malicious scripts that are reflected back to authenticated users, potentially executing in their browsers. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating a failure to properly neutralize input leading to script injection. The attack vector is network-based and requires low attack complexity but does require the attacker to have valid user credentials (privileges) and user interaction to trigger the malicious payload. The vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity by enabling attackers to steal session tokens, manipulate displayed content, or perform actions on behalf of the victim user. The scope is limited to authenticated users, and no unauthenticated exploitation is possible. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting organizations should monitor vendor updates closely. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:N/A:N/C:L/I:L/PR:L/S:C/UI:R, indicating local privileges required, network attack vector, and user interaction necessary.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-52941 is the potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity within Veritas Enterprise Vault environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users, leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or unauthorized actions performed with the victim’s privileges. This could undermine trust in archived content integrity and expose sensitive organizational data. Since the vulnerability requires authentication and user interaction, the risk is somewhat mitigated but still significant in environments with many users or where phishing/social engineering could be used to lure victims. Organizations relying heavily on Enterprise Vault for compliance and data retention may face regulatory and reputational risks if exploited. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure.

Organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Monitor Veritas for official patches or updates addressing CVE-2024-52941 and apply them promptly once available. 2) Enforce strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters within Enterprise Vault interfaces to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3) Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing archived content. 4) Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of compromised accounts. 5) Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of malicious link clicks or script execution. 6) Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 7) Monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of attempted exploitation, such as suspicious parameter injection patterns. 8) Consider isolating or restricting access to the Enterprise Vault web interface to trusted networks or VPNs to reduce exposure.