CVE-2024-55506 is an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability found in CodeAstro's Complaint Management System version 1.0, specifically in the delete.php script. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient authorization checks on the 'id' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to delete or access unauthorized data. More critically, this flaw enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server, likely through injection or improper handling of the parameter, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. The CWE-639 classification highlights that the root cause is improper authorization on object references, a common and dangerous web application flaw. No patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but the potential for exploitation is significant given the ease of parameter manipulation and the severe consequences. The affected product is a complaint management system, which typically handles sensitive user data and internal workflows, making the impact of exploitation potentially severe. The vulnerability was reserved and published in December 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

The impact of CVE-2024-55506 is substantial for organizations using CodeAstro's Complaint Management System. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over the affected server, potentially pivoting to other internal systems. Confidential information managed by the complaint system, such as personal data, complaint details, and internal communications, can be exposed or altered. The integrity of complaint records can be compromised, undermining trust and regulatory compliance. Availability can also be affected if attackers delete or disrupt complaint data or system functionality. Given the network attack vector and low complexity, attackers with limited privileges can escalate their access, increasing the risk of insider threats or external attackers who have obtained some credentials. The lack of patches and known exploits means organizations may be vulnerable until mitigations or updates are applied. This vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions, especially in sectors where complaint management is critical, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises.

To mitigate CVE-2024-55506, organizations should immediately restrict access to the delete.php endpoint to only highly trusted and authenticated users, ideally through network segmentation or firewall rules. Implement strict authorization checks on the server side to validate user permissions for any object referenced by the 'id' parameter, ensuring users can only delete or access objects they are authorized for. Employ input validation and sanitization to prevent injection or manipulation attacks via the 'id' parameter. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or repeated attempts to manipulate object references. If possible, disable or remove the delete.php functionality until a vendor patch is available. Conduct a thorough code review of the complaint management system to identify and remediate similar authorization flaws. Additionally, enforce the principle of least privilege for all users and services interacting with the system. Organizations should also prepare incident response plans to quickly address any exploitation attempts. Finally, maintain regular backups of complaint data to enable recovery in case of data loss or corruption.