CVE-2024-55231 is an IDOR vulnerability found in the edit-notes.php module of the PHPGurukul Online Notes Sharing Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability arises from missing authorization checks that fail to verify whether the authenticated user attempting to edit a note actually owns that note. As a result, an attacker with valid credentials can manipulate the note identifier parameter to access and modify notes belonging to other users. This flaw does not expose sensitive data directly (no confidentiality impact) but allows unauthorized modification of data (integrity impact). The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction and requires only low privileges (authenticated user). The lack of proper access control is a classic example of CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key). Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability presents a risk to the integrity of user data within the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting medium severity due to the limited scope of impact and the requirement for authentication. The vulnerability affects PHPGurukul Online Notes Sharing Management System v1.0, a PHP-based web application used primarily for note sharing and management.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-55231 is on data integrity, as attackers can modify notes belonging to other users without authorization. This can lead to misinformation, data tampering, and loss of trust in the system’s reliability. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the unauthorized modification of user-generated content can have significant consequences, especially in environments where notes contain critical or sensitive information. Organizations relying on PHPGurukul for note sharing may face reputational damage and potential compliance issues if user data integrity is compromised. The requirement for authentication limits the attack surface to registered users, but the ease of exploitation and lack of user interaction needed increase the risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited, but it remains a credible threat that should be addressed promptly.

To mitigate CVE-2024-55231, organizations should implement strict authorization checks in the edit-notes.php module to ensure that users can only edit notes they own. This involves validating the ownership of the note against the authenticated user’s identity before processing any modification requests. Code review and security testing should focus on access control mechanisms to prevent similar IDOR vulnerabilities. Employing parameterized queries and avoiding direct user input for object references can reduce risk. Additionally, logging and monitoring edit actions can help detect unauthorized attempts. If possible, update or patch the PHPGurukul system once an official fix is released. In the interim, consider restricting note editing functionality or applying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious parameter tampering. User education about secure credential management can also reduce the risk of compromised accounts being used to exploit this vulnerability.