Overview
CVE-2025-65278 is a critical security vulnerability discovered in GroceryMart, specifically affecting the users.json file within commit 21934e6 (dated 2020-10-23). This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive information, including plaintext usernames and passwords, potentially leading to significant security breaches.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides in the users.json file of the specified GroceryMart commit. This file contains user account information, which, unfortunately, is stored in plaintext. An attacker who can access this file (e.g., through a misconfigured web server, exposed directory listing, or other means) can retrieve usernames and passwords without any authentication. The vulnerable commit, 21934e6, highlights the need for secure password storage practices during development and deployment.
CVSS Analysis
As of the published date (2025-11-26T20:15:49.803), CVE-2025-65278 has a CVSS score of N/A and a severity rating of N/A. This likely indicates the score hasn’t been fully assessed, however, the nature of plaintext credential storage suggests a high-severity risk. A proper CVSS score would likely be in the Critical or High range, depending on exploitability factors such as network accessibility and the scope of impact.
Possible Impact
The impact of CVE-2025-65278 can be severe:
- Account Compromise: Attackers can directly access user accounts using the leaked credentials.
- Data Breach: Compromised accounts may grant access to sensitive user data, leading to a data breach.
- Lateral Movement: If the compromised user accounts have elevated privileges, attackers can potentially move laterally within the system and gain control of other resources.
- Reputational Damage: A security breach can significantly damage the reputation of GroceryMart and erode customer trust.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2025-65278, the following steps should be taken:
- Remove the Vulnerable File: Immediately remove the
users.jsonfile from any publicly accessible location. - Implement Proper Password Hashing: Replace the plaintext password storage with a secure password hashing algorithm (e.g., bcrypt, Argon2) with proper salting.
- Password Reset: Force a password reset for all users to invalidate any potentially compromised credentials.
- Review Codebase: Conduct a thorough code review to identify and address any other instances of insecure credential storage or handling.
- Update GroceryMart: If available, apply any patches or updates released by the GroceryMart developers to address this vulnerability. Contact the vendor for clarification if patches aren’t readily apparent.
- Implement Access Controls: Implement strict access control policies to limit access to sensitive files and directories.
