CVE-2024-55059 identifies a stored HTML Injection vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Online Birth Certificate System version 1.0, specifically located in the /user/certificate-form.php file. Stored HTML Injection is a type of vulnerability where malicious HTML or script code is injected into a web application’s data storage and later rendered in users’ browsers without proper sanitization or encoding. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which corresponds to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to submit crafted input containing malicious HTML that gets stored on the server and subsequently displayed to other users, leading to potential execution of arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim’s browser. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges, but does require user interaction (such as a victim visiting a maliciously crafted page). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the vulnerable component, and it impacts confidentiality and integrity to a low degree but does not affect availability. No patches or fixes have been published at the time of disclosure, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. This vulnerability is significant because birth certificate systems often handle sensitive personal data, and exploitation could lead to theft of user credentials, session hijacking, or phishing attacks by injecting malicious content into trusted pages.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-55059 is the potential compromise of user confidentiality and integrity through the execution of malicious scripts in users’ browsers. Attackers could steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate displayed content to deceive users. Although availability is not affected, the trustworthiness of the birth certificate system could be undermined, leading to reputational damage and loss of user confidence. Organizations relying on this system may face legal and compliance risks due to exposure of personal data. The vulnerability’s requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently access the affected web interface. The lack of patches increases the window of exposure, and attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability becomes widely known. Given the sensitive nature of birth certificate data, exploitation could facilitate identity theft or fraud.

To mitigate CVE-2024-55059, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially in the /user/certificate-form.php component. Employing a whitelist approach for allowed HTML tags or completely disallowing HTML input can prevent injection of malicious code. Use security libraries or frameworks that automatically escape output to prevent script execution. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Regularly audit and sanitize stored data to remove any malicious content already present. Monitor user activity for suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no official patches are available, consider isolating the vulnerable system or restricting access until a fix is released. Educate users about the risks of clicking untrusted links or interacting with suspicious content. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups to recover quickly if an attack occurs.