CVE-2026-41874 in Quick.Cart
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
Quick.Cart stores hard-coded, plaintext admin credentials in a configuration file. This flaw allows attackers with access to the server file system to retrieve authentication details, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
The vendor assessed the likelihood of exploitation as very low and determined that a fix is not necessary.
Only version 6.7 was tested but all versions should be considered as vulnerable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Quick.Cart where administrative credentials are stored in plaintext within configuration files, creating an inherent risk for unauthorized access. The hard-coded nature of these credentials means that any attacker who gains file system access to the server can directly retrieve authentication information without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This design flaw fundamentally violates security best practices and creates a significant attack surface that should be addressed immediately. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications, making it a well-documented weakness that has been frequently exploited in various web application attacks.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor security architecture where administrative privileges are not properly separated from application code. When credentials exist in plaintext within configuration files, they become accessible to any process or user with read access to those files, including potential attackers who have compromised the server through other means such as file upload vulnerabilities, misconfigured permissions, or privilege escalation exploits. This creates a scenario where a single point of failure can compromise the entire administrative system. The flaw is particularly concerning because it eliminates the need for complex exploitation techniques and provides direct access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks that can completely compromise the application and underlying infrastructure. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can modify user accounts, delete content, install malicious software, manipulate database contents, and potentially use the administrative access to pivot to other systems within the network. This represents a high-value target for attackers who may already have some level of access to the system but need elevated privileges to achieve their objectives. The vulnerability essentially provides an open door for attackers who have gained initial access through other means, making it a critical concern in any security assessment.
While the vendor has assessed the likelihood of exploitation as very low and determined that no fix is necessary, this assessment fails to consider the fundamental security implications of hard-coded credentials. Security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines strongly recommend against storing sensitive information in configuration files, particularly when those files can be accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability should be addressed through proper credential management practices including the use of environment variables, secure credential storage systems, or database-backed authentication mechanisms. Organizations using Quick.Cart should immediately implement workarounds such as restricting file system permissions, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts to mitigate this risk.
The potential attack vectors for exploiting this vulnerability include server compromise through various means such as cross-site scripting attacks, remote code execution, or file inclusion vulnerabilities that could provide attackers with the necessary access to read configuration files. This vulnerability is particularly concerning when combined with other weaknesses in the application architecture, as it can serve as a critical component in multi-stage attack scenarios. The fact that all versions may be vulnerable further compounds the issue, indicating a systemic problem within the application's design rather than a simple bug that could be patched. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader risk assessments and ensure that proper monitoring and access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive configuration information.