CVE-2024-55341 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Piranha CMS version 11.1. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the web browsers of users who access a maliciously crafted page. The attack vector involves the creation of a page through the /manager/pages endpoint, where an attacker inserts markdown content containing the XSS payload. When a legitimate user views this page, the embedded script executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or other malicious actions that compromise user confidentiality. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or authentication to exploit, but user interaction is necessary to trigger the payload, typically by viewing the compromised page. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.7, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the vulnerable component. No patches or known exploits have been reported at the time of publication. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with insufficient input sanitization and output encoding in web content management systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-55341 is on the confidentiality of users interacting with Piranha CMS-powered websites. Successful exploitation can lead to the execution of arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data accessible via the browser context. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or system availability, the compromise of user sessions can lead to further attacks such as account takeover or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. Organizations relying on Piranha CMS 11.1 for their web content management face reputational damage, loss of user trust, and potential regulatory consequences if user data is compromised. The requirement for user interaction limits the attack's automation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with high user traffic or where social engineering can be employed to lure victims. The absence of patches increases exposure time, and the lack of known exploits suggests the vulnerability is not yet widely weaponized, but proactive mitigation is critical to prevent future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-55341, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately review and restrict access to the /manager/pages interface to trusted administrators only, employing strong authentication and access controls. 2) Sanitize and validate all user-generated content, especially markdown inputs, to ensure that scripts or malicious HTML cannot be injected; employ robust input filtering libraries or frameworks that properly escape or remove executable code. 3) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. 4) Monitor web application logs and user activity for unusual page creation or content modification patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Educate administrators and content creators about the risks of injecting untrusted content and the importance of reviewing markdown inputs. 6) Stay alert for official patches or updates from Piranha CMS and apply them promptly once available. 7) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting common XSS attack patterns to provide an additional layer of defense. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and CMS interface involved.