CVE-2024-58317 identifies a cookie security configuration vulnerability in Kentico Xperience, a popular web content management system built on the .NET Framework. The issue stems from incorrect handling of the 'requireSSL' attribute in the web.config file, which is intended to enforce the 'Secure' flag on cookies used for administration sessions. Without the 'Secure' attribute, cookies can be transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections, exposing them to interception via man-in-the-middle attacks. This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass SSL requirements when setting administration cookies, potentially compromising session confidentiality and authentication state. The vulnerability affects all versions of Kentico Xperience that rely on this configuration mechanism. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9 reflects a medium severity level, with an attack vector that is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction, and impacting confidentiality. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability presents a clear risk to session security. The flaw is particularly critical for environments where administration interfaces are accessible over public networks or where mixed HTTP/HTTPS content is served. Proper cookie security is a fundamental defense against session hijacking and unauthorized access, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations relying on Kentico Xperience for their web administration.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-58317 is the potential compromise of session confidentiality and authentication integrity for Kentico Xperience administration portals. Attackers can intercept session cookies transmitted without the 'Secure' attribute over unencrypted HTTP connections, enabling session hijacking and unauthorized administrative access. For European organizations, this could lead to unauthorized changes to website content, data leakage, or further exploitation of administrative privileges. The vulnerability undermines trust in secure session management and could facilitate lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations with public-facing administration interfaces or those using mixed HTTP/HTTPS configurations are particularly vulnerable. The impact extends to regulatory compliance risks under GDPR, as unauthorized access to personal data or administrative controls could result in data breaches and associated penalties. The medium severity rating indicates a significant but not critical risk, emphasizing the need for timely remediation to prevent exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-58317, organizations should: 1) Review and update the web.config file in Kentico Xperience installations to explicitly set the 'requireSSL' attribute to true for all sensitive cookies, ensuring the 'Secure' flag is applied. 2) Enforce HTTPS across all administration and user-facing portals to prevent transmission of cookies over unencrypted channels. 3) Conduct thorough testing to confirm that cookies are only transmitted over secure connections using browser developer tools or security scanners. 4) Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) headers to enforce HTTPS usage and prevent downgrade attacks. 5) Regularly audit and monitor web server configurations and application settings for compliance with secure cookie practices. 6) Educate development and operations teams about secure cookie attributes and session management best practices. 7) Stay updated with Kentico security advisories and apply patches or updates promptly when available. 8) Consider network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious session hijacking attempts. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and address the specific misconfiguration at the root of this vulnerability.