CVE-2024-55271 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability identified in the phpgurukul Gym Management System version 1.0, specifically within the profile update functionality accessible via the /profile.php endpoint in the User Panel. CSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker tricks an authenticated user into submitting a forged HTTP request, which the vulnerable application processes without verifying the legitimacy of the request origin. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker to cause an authenticated user to unknowingly update their profile information, potentially altering sensitive personal data or account settings. The vulnerability arises due to the absence of anti-CSRF protections such as tokens or proper origin validation in the profile update process. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild, indicating the vulnerability is newly disclosed or not widely exploited. The attack requires the victim to be authenticated and to visit a maliciously crafted webpage, which then triggers the unauthorized profile update request. This vulnerability primarily impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user data, as unauthorized changes can lead to misinformation or unauthorized access escalation if profile data is linked to authentication or authorization mechanisms. The scope is limited to installations of phpgurukul Gym Management System 1.0, which is typically used by small to medium-sized fitness centers. The lack of patch or mitigation details in the disclosure suggests that users should proactively implement protective measures. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is relatively straightforward to exploit but requires user authentication and interaction (visiting a malicious page).

For European organizations using the phpgurukul Gym Management System 1.0, this CSRF vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of user profile data, compromising data integrity and potentially confidentiality if sensitive information is altered or exposed. This could result in loss of user trust, regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to improper handling or alteration of personal data, and operational disruptions if user accounts are manipulated. Fitness centers and gym management entities may face reputational damage and potential legal consequences if customer data is mishandled. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks if profile data influences access control or authentication mechanisms. Although no widespread exploitation is reported, the ease of exploitation means attackers could target less security-aware organizations. The impact is more pronounced in countries with a high density of small to medium fitness centers relying on this software, where patching and security awareness may be limited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-55271, organizations should implement anti-CSRF tokens in all state-changing requests, especially the profile update functionality. This involves generating a unique token per user session and validating it on the server side for every request that modifies data. Additionally, validating the HTTP Referer or Origin headers can help ensure requests originate from legitimate sources. Enforcing strict session management practices, such as short session timeouts and secure cookie attributes (HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite), reduces the risk of session hijacking. Organizations should also educate users to avoid clicking on suspicious links while authenticated. If possible, updating or patching the phpgurukul Gym Management System to a version that addresses this vulnerability is recommended once available. Network-level protections, such as web application firewalls (WAFs), can be configured to detect and block suspicious CSRF attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews of custom or third-party software should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.