CVE-2025-9982 in QuickCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2025
A vulnerability exists in QuickCMS version 6.8 where sensitive admin credentials are hardcoded in a configuration file and stored in plaintext. This flaw allows attackers with access to the source code or the server file system to retrieve authentication details, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
The vendor was notified early about this vulnerability, but didn't respond with the details of vulnerability or vulnerable version range. Only version 6.8 was tested and confirmed as vulnerable, other versions were not tested and might also be vulnerable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9982 represents a critical security flaw in QuickCMS version 6.8 that stems from poor secure coding practices and inadequate configuration management. This issue manifests as a hardcoded administrative credential storage mechanism within the application's configuration files, creating an inherent weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles. The presence of plaintext credentials in source code repositories or server file systems creates a persistent attack surface that remains exploitable regardless of other security controls. Such implementation flaws typically fall under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represent a significant deviation from industry best practices for secure application development.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers gain access to either the source code repository or direct server file system access, enabling them to extract the hardcoded administrative credentials. This scenario creates a privilege escalation pathway that allows unauthorized individuals to assume administrative roles within the CMS environment. The flaw's impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the authentication mechanism of the entire system. Attackers can leverage these credentials to perform administrative functions including but not limited to user management, content modification, plugin installation, and system configuration changes that could lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying QuickCMS version 6.8, particularly those with inadequate access controls or monitoring systems. The lack of vendor response regarding vulnerability details or affected version ranges compounds the problem, leaving administrators without proper guidance for remediation or risk assessment. The absence of confirmation for other versions means that organizations cannot definitively determine their exposure level, creating uncertainty in security planning and incident response procedures. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene practices that may indicate additional weaknesses in the application's overall security posture, potentially exposing organizations to cascading security failures.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate credential rotation and configuration hardening measures. Organizations must immediately rotate all administrative credentials and implement proper credential management practices including the use of environment variables, secure configuration management tools, and regular credential audits. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and enhanced file system permissions can help limit exposure to unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning tools to detect hardcoded credentials in source code repositories and establish secure coding practices that align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date vendor communications and implementing proper vulnerability disclosure processes that enable timely remediation actions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive audit logs for forensic analysis.