CVE-2023-1269 in easyappointments
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2023
Use of Hard-coded Credentials in GitHub repository alextselegidis/easyappointments prior to 1.5.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1269 represents a critical security flaw in the EasyAppointments repository where hard-coded credentials were discovered in the source code. This issue affects versions prior to 1.5.0 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices that directly violates multiple security best practices and standards. The presence of hardcoded credentials in version control systems creates an immediate and severe risk for any organization deploying this software, as these credentials become permanently exposed to anyone with access to the repository or its history.
The technical flaw manifests as the inclusion of authentication credentials directly within the source code files rather than utilizing secure configuration management practices. This approach fundamentally contradicts the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to database connections, API endpoints, and potentially administrative functions within the application, creating a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of user authentication status or password changes. Attackers can exploit this weakness through simple code inspection or by examining the repository history, making the attack surface immediate and uncomplicated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Organizations deploying EasyAppointments software before version 1.5.0 face significant risks including unauthorized database access, potential data manipulation, user account compromise, and possible lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Credentials In Files" and represents one of the most common initial access vectors in security breaches. The exposure of database credentials specifically enables attackers to perform data manipulation, create backdoor accounts, and potentially establish persistence within the target environment through direct database access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1269 require immediate action including updating to version 1.5.0 or later, which presumably addresses the hardcoded credential issue through proper configuration management. Organizations must conduct thorough security audits of their code repositories to identify any other instances of hardcoded credentials, as this represents a systemic security problem rather than an isolated incident. The remediation process should include implementing proper credential management systems such as environment variables, secure configuration files, or dedicated credential management services. Additionally, organizations should review their continuous integration pipelines to ensure that credential exposure does not occur through automated processes or deployment scripts, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure code practices throughout the entire software development lifecycle. The fix should also include implementing proper access controls for repository access and conducting regular security scanning of code repositories to prevent similar issues from recurring in the future.