CVE-2024-7041 identifies an authorization bypass vulnerability categorized under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) in the open-webui project, specifically version 0.3.8. The vulnerability arises from an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) in the API endpoint /api/v1/memories/{id}/update. The design flaw in the decentralization mechanism allows an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to manipulate the 'id' parameter to update memory objects belonging to other users without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). The impact primarily affects data integrity (I:H) as unauthorized edits to other users' memories can compromise the trustworthiness and correctness of stored information. Confidentiality and availability are not impacted. The vulnerability was published on 2024-10-09 and currently has no known exploits in the wild. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from users of open-webui. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust authorization checks in decentralized applications where user-controlled keys or identifiers are used to access or modify resources.

For European organizations, especially those leveraging open-webui for decentralized data management or collaborative platforms, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to data integrity. Unauthorized modification of user data can lead to misinformation, loss of trust, and potential compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR, which mandates data accuracy and integrity. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, and public services that require strict data governance could face operational disruptions or reputational damage if attackers exploit this flaw. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or availability directly, the primary concern is the unauthorized alteration of data, which can cascade into broader business impacts. The medium CVSS score reflects the moderate ease of exploitation combined with the high impact on data integrity. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk remains significant if left unaddressed.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7041, organizations should implement strict authorization checks on the server side, ensuring that the user making the API call has explicit permission to update the specified memory object. This includes validating the ownership of the 'id' parameter against the authenticated user's identity before processing any update requests. Employing role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC) mechanisms can help enforce fine-grained permissions. Additionally, input validation should be enhanced to prevent manipulation of user-controlled keys. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious API requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Logging and monitoring API access patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts early. Finally, educating developers about secure API design and the risks of IDOR vulnerabilities will help prevent similar issues in future releases.