| Title | https://github.com/CouchCMS/CouchCMS ≤ 2.4 Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key |
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| Description | 1. **Hardcoded Google reCAPTCHA Test Keys:**
- In the file `couch/config.example.php`, the default reCAPTCHA configuration uses Google's official test keys which always return `success: true` for any verification request.
- The vulnerable code at lines 160-161:
```php
define( 'K_RECAPTCHA_SITE_KEY', '6LeIxAcTAAAAAJcZVRqyHh71UMIEGNQ_MXjiZKhI' );
define( 'K_RECAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY', '6LeIxAcTAAAAAGG-vFI1TnRWxMZNFuojJ4WifJWe' );
```
2. **Exploiting the Vulnerability:**
- These keys are Google's publicly documented test keys that bypass all CAPTCHA validation.
- Any form protected by reCAPTCHA (contact forms, comment forms, registration forms) can be automated without solving the CAPTCHA.
- The validation in `couch/addons/recaptcha/recaptcha.php` at line 82 checks `$response['success']` which will always be `true` with test keys.
3. **Impact:**
- Automated spam submission on contact forms
- Brute force attacks on login forms
- Mass comment spam
- Automated account registration |
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| Source | ⚠️ https://note-hxlab.wetolink.com/share/jNNcrdrNyCvl |
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| User | hiro (UID 93548) |
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| Submission | 12/18/2025 11:59 (10 months ago) |
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| Moderation | 12/21/2025 13:42 (3 days later) |
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| Status | Accepted |
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| VulDB entry | 337711 [CouchCMS up to 2.4 reCAPTCHA couch/config.example.php K_RECAPTCHA_SITE_KEY/K_RECAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY hard-coded key] |
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| Points | 20 |
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