CVE-2026-42704 in Kids Care Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2026
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Kids Care <= 3.2.4 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated local file inclusion flaw within the Kids Care application, specifically affecting versions up to and including 3.2.4, represents a critical security deficiency that allows attackers to read arbitrary files from the underlying server operating system without requiring valid credentials or prior authentication. This type of vulnerability typically arises when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it as an argument for file inclusion functions, such as include() or require() in PHP-based environments, which are commonly used in web applications like Kids Care. By manipulating parameters passed through HTTP requests, a remote attacker can construct malicious payloads that reference sensitive system files located on the server's filesystem, thereby bypassing standard access controls and authentication mechanisms entirely.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-98 Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program, which highlights the failure to validate or restrict file paths provided by external sources. The operational impact of such an inclusion can be severe, as it enables information disclosure where attackers may extract configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, and other sensitive secrets stored on the server. In many cases, if the web server is configured with specific permissions or if the application runs under a user account with elevated privileges, this vulnerability could potentially lead to remote code execution, allowing full compromise of the host system. This aligns closely with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries enumerate files to gather intelligence for further exploitation stages such as credential theft or lateral movement within a network environment.
The absence of authentication requirements significantly lowers the barrier to entry for malicious actors, making this vulnerability exploitable by unauthenticated users over the internet rather than being limited to insider threats or authenticated sessions. This exposure increases the risk profile considerably, especially if the application is deployed in public-facing environments where automated scanning tools can easily detect and exploit such weaknesses. The consequences extend beyond mere data leakage; compromised credentials obtained through file inclusion can be used for subsequent attacks against backend infrastructure, leading to potential service disruption, regulatory non-compliance due to exposure of personal data contained within configuration or database dumps, and reputational damage for the organization hosting the application.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate remediation efforts should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization techniques that ensure only expected file names or paths are processed by inclusion functions. Developers must avoid using dynamic variables directly in include statements without rigorous checks against a whitelist of allowed files. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion if not strictly necessary can prevent attackers from leveraging external resources to execute code. Upgrading the application to a patched version where this issue has been resolved is the most effective long-term solution. Organizations should also employ web application firewalls configured with rulesets designed to detect and block common local file inclusion patterns in HTTP requests, providing an additional layer of defense while patching efforts are underway. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools can help identify similar coding practices that may lead to other injection-based vulnerabilities across the software ecosystem.