CVE-2024-55956 is a critical vulnerability identified in Cleo Harmony, VLTrader, and LexiCom managed file transfer (MFT) products prior to version 5.8.0.24. The flaw arises from insecure default configurations of the Autorun directory feature, which allows an unauthenticated attacker to import and execute arbitrary commands on the host system. Specifically, the vulnerability enables execution of arbitrary Bash commands on Unix-like systems or PowerShell commands on Windows hosts. This is a classic command injection vulnerability (CWE-77) that does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable remotely over the network. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing full system compromise, including data theft, system manipulation, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the ease of exploitation (network vector, no privileges required, no user interaction) and the critical impact on all security properties. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the severity and nature of the flaw make it a prime target for attackers once weaponized. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation by disabling Autorun features or restricting access until updates are applied.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat due to the widespread use of Cleo Harmony and related products in secure file transfer and business process automation. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or pivot within networks. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on these MFT solutions are particularly vulnerable. The ability to execute arbitrary commands without authentication increases the risk of ransomware deployment, espionage, or sabotage. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to breach compliance requirements under GDPR by exposing personal or confidential data. The potential for widespread impact is high given the network-exploitable nature and the critical role these products play in data exchange.

Organizations should immediately verify if they are running affected versions of Cleo Harmony, VLTrader, or LexiCom prior to 5.8.0.24. Until patches are available, it is critical to disable or restrict the Autorun directory feature to prevent automatic execution of imported scripts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be applied to limit access to the management interfaces of these products to trusted administrators only. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution or unauthorized file imports. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection to block unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also prepare to deploy patches as soon as they are released by the vendor and conduct thorough incident response readiness exercises. Regular backups and recovery plans should be validated to mitigate potential ransomware or destructive attacks stemming from this vulnerability.