CVE-2024-51446 in Polarion
Summary
by MITRE • 05/13/2025
A vulnerability has been identified in Polarion V2310 (All versions), Polarion V2404 (All versions < V2404.4). The file upload feature of the affected application improperly sanitizes xml files. This could allow an authenticated remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting attack by uploading specially crafted xml files that are later downloaded and viewed by other users of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-51446 affects Polarion software versions 2310 and 2404, specifically before patch level 2404.4, presenting a critical security risk through improper input validation in the file upload functionality. This flaw exists within the application's handling of xml files, where the system fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied content before processing or storing it. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of an authenticated user, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the system, but once authenticated, they can leverage this weakness to compromise other users within the same application environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of xml file content during the upload process. When users upload xml files through the application's interface, the system does not properly filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This allows an attacker to embed malicious javascript code within the xml file structure, which gets executed when other users view or download the file through the application's interface. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists within the application's file system and continues to affect users who access the compromised files, creating a continuous attack vector that can compromise multiple users over time.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-51446 extends beyond simple cross-site scripting attacks, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data, session hijacking capabilities, and the ability to perform further attacks within the application environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited by attackers with valid user accounts, potentially allowing them to escalate privileges, access confidential project information, or manipulate application functionality. This stored xss attack vector represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Polarion for collaborative software development and project management, as it can compromise the integrity of shared documents and potentially provide attackers with access to source code repositories, requirements documentation, and other sensitive materials.
Organizations using affected Polarion versions should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory input validation for xml file uploads, implementation of proper content type restrictions, and enhanced file validation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, though in this case the attack vector is through legitimate application functionality rather than external phishing. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious file upload patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the application's file handling mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.