CVE-2024-8337 in Contact Manager with Export to VCF
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in SourceCodester Contact Manager with Export to VCF 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file index.html. The manipulation of the argument contact_name leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8337 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Contact Manager with Export to VCF version 1.0 application. This security weakness specifically targets the index.html file and occurs when the contact_name parameter is manipulated, creating an avenue for malicious code execution. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant risk to user security and system integrity, particularly given its remote exploitation capability.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the application's web interface. When users interact with the contact_name field, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially sensitive contact information stored within the manager. Remote exploitation means that malicious actors can craft malicious URLs or inject scripts through various attack vectors without requiring physical access to the target system. This creates a significant risk for organizations or individuals who rely on the contact manager for storing personal or business contact information. The public disclosure of the exploit further amplifies the threat landscape, as it enables widespread exploitation by threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-8337 should prioritize immediate input validation and output encoding implementations. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly the contact_name parameter, undergoes strict sanitization before being rendered in web pages. This includes implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms and employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the application should adopt secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and follow ATT&CK framework techniques for preventing client-side exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.