CVE-2024-8373 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-791, indicating incomplete filtering of special elements, specifically in the AngularJS framework's handling of the [srcset] attribute within <source> HTML elements. AngularJS fails to properly sanitize this attribute's value, allowing attackers to bypass typical image source restrictions enforced by browsers or security policies. This can lead to content spoofing, where malicious actors manipulate displayed content to deceive users, potentially facilitating phishing or social engineering attacks. The vulnerability affects all AngularJS versions, from 0.0.0 upwards, and is particularly critical because AngularJS is officially end-of-life, meaning no patches or updates will be released to address this issue. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.8 (medium), with an attack vector of network, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts limited to integrity and availability. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in legacy web applications poses a persistent risk. The inability to patch AngularJS necessitates alternative mitigation strategies. The vulnerability could allow attackers to inject or manipulate image sources, potentially causing UI confusion or denial of service by breaking page rendering or loading malicious content. This undermines the integrity of web applications relying on AngularJS, especially those that handle sensitive user interactions or display critical information.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-8373 is significant primarily in sectors relying on legacy AngularJS applications, such as government portals, financial services, and e-commerce platforms. The vulnerability could enable attackers to conduct content spoofing attacks, misleading users and potentially facilitating fraud or credential theft. Additionally, manipulation of image sources could disrupt user experience or availability of web services, impacting business operations and trust. Since AngularJS is no longer maintained, organizations cannot rely on vendor patches, increasing exposure duration. The medium severity reflects moderate risk but combined with the end-of-life status, the threat is elevated for entities unable to migrate promptly. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality directly but affects integrity and availability, which can indirectly lead to data loss or reputational damage. European GDPR regulations emphasize data integrity and security, so exploitation could also have compliance implications. Organizations with public-facing AngularJS applications are at higher risk, especially if they lack compensating controls like Content Security Policies or input validation.

Given AngularJS is end-of-life and no official patches exist, European organizations should prioritize migrating applications to modern, supported frameworks such as Angular (2+), React, or Vue.js to eliminate the vulnerability. In the interim, implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) that restrict allowed image sources and prevent loading of unauthorized content via the [srcset] attribute. Employ server-side input validation and sanitization to ensure that any user-supplied or dynamic content does not include malicious or malformed [srcset] values. Conduct thorough code audits to identify and refactor usage of vulnerable AngularJS features. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the [srcset] attribute. Educate developers and security teams about the risks of using deprecated frameworks and the importance of timely upgrades. Monitor web application logs for anomalies related to image source requests or content spoofing attempts. Finally, consider isolating legacy AngularJS applications behind additional security layers or within segmented network zones to limit potential impact.