CVE-2024-52942 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Veritas Enterprise Vault versions prior to 15.1 UPD882911. This vulnerability arises because the application improperly sanitizes user-supplied parameters injected into HTTP requests when users view archived content. An authenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious scripts into these parameters, which are then reflected back to authenticated users without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, with the vector indicating low attack complexity, network attack vector, no availability impact, limited confidentiality and integrity impact, requiring privileges and user interaction, and scope change. The attack scenario involves an attacker crafting a malicious HTTP request parameter that, when viewed by an authenticated user, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim’s browser session. This can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or data disclosure within the Enterprise Vault web interface. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's presence in a widely used enterprise archiving solution makes it a concern for organizations relying on this product for compliance and data retention. The lack of a current patch link suggests that remediation may be pending or that users should upgrade to version 15.1 UPD882911 or later once available.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-52942 is the potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity within the Veritas Enterprise Vault environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, unauthorized data access, or manipulation of archived content. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability, the breach of sensitive archived data could have significant compliance and regulatory consequences, especially for organizations in heavily regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government. The requirement for authentication and user interaction limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with many users or where phishing or social engineering could be used to trigger the exploit. Organizations worldwide using affected versions may face reputational damage, legal liabilities, and operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-52942, organizations should: 1) Apply the official patch or upgrade to Veritas Enterprise Vault version 15.1 UPD882911 or later as soon as it becomes available. 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the Enterprise Vault web interface to prevent script injection. 3) Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4) Educate users about the risks of interacting with suspicious links or content within the Enterprise Vault environment to reduce the likelihood of triggering XSS payloads. 5) Monitor logs for unusual HTTP request parameters or user activity that may indicate attempted exploitation. 6) Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of compromised accounts. 7) Consider using web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS attempts targeting Enterprise Vault. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.