CVE-2024-40512 in openPetra
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in openPetra v.2023.02 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the serverMReporting.asmx function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The cross site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40512 affects the openPetra financial management system version 2023.02 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically targets the serverMReporting.asmx web service endpoint, which serves as a reporting interface for the system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web service implementation, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious script code that gets executed when legitimate users access the affected reporting functionality. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of parameters passed to the serverMReporting.asmx endpoint, where the application fails to adequately validate or encode user inputs before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized data access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross site scripting flaw, which represents one of the most common and dangerous web application security issues. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate reporting functionality of the application, making it more difficult for security controls to detect malicious activity and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected while harvesting sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and access confidential financial data, user credentials, or system configuration information within the openPetra environment. The affected serverMReporting.asmx function likely provides access to sensitive reporting data that could include financial transactions, user account details, or system audit logs, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise financial institutions or organizations using the openPetra platform. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The exploitation could result in significant financial loss, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage to organizations that rely on the affected system for their financial management operations.
Organizations utilizing openPetra version 2023.02 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and comprehensive web application firewall rules to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The most effective remediation approach involves implementing strict input sanitization for all parameters passed to the serverMReporting.asmx endpoint, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly validated and encoded before being incorporated into web responses. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the root cause of the vulnerability, and organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web application components to identify similar vulnerabilities in other endpoints. Additionally, implementing content security policies and monitoring for suspicious activity around the reporting functionality can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of security incidents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive financial data and requiring robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.