CVE-2025-63800: Open Source Point of Sale Vulnerability Lets You Blank Your Password!

Overview

This article details CVE-2025-63800, a critical vulnerability discovered in Open Source Point of Sale (OSPOS) version 3.4.1. This flaw allows authenticated users to effectively disable their account authentication by setting their password to an empty string. Due to the lack of server-side validation, submitting an empty password during the password change process results in the password being cleared, potentially granting unauthorized access.

Technical Details

The vulnerability resides in the password change endpoint of OSPOS 3.4.1. The application fails to implement adequate server-side validation for the password and repeat_password parameters during a password change request. Specifically, if an authenticated user sends a request to change their password, leaving both parameters empty or containing only whitespace, the backend processes the request as successful and updates the user’s password to an empty string in the database.

This means subsequent login attempts, even with incorrect credentials, will succeed because the application now considers the password to be null or empty. This effectively bypasses authentication mechanisms.

CVSS Analysis

Currently, a CVSS score hasn’t been officially assigned for CVE-2025-63800. However, considering the potential for complete authentication bypass and unauthorized access to sensitive user or administrative accounts, a high severity rating is likely. A CVSS score assessment will be updated if made available.

Possible Impact

The exploitation of CVE-2025-63800 can have severe consequences:

• Account Takeover: Attackers can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, including administrative accounts, by simply leaving the password fields blank during a password change attempt.
• Data Breach: Once an attacker has access to an account, they can potentially access sensitive customer data, financial information, and other confidential information stored within the POS system.
• System Compromise: Compromised administrative accounts can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to modify configurations, install malware, and disrupt business operations.
• Reputational Damage: A successful attack exploiting this vulnerability can severely damage the reputation of businesses using the affected Open Source Point of Sale system.

Mitigation and Patch Steps

The primary mitigation is to update Open Source Point of Sale to a patched version that includes proper server-side validation for the password change endpoint. If an updated version is not yet available, consider the following temporary mitigation steps:

• Implement Server-Side Validation: Manually implement server-side validation in the password change endpoint to ensure that the password and repeat_password parameters are not empty or contain only whitespace before updating the password in the database. This will likely require modifying the PHP code or other backend components of OSPOS.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF): Configure a WAF to block requests to the password change endpoint that contain empty or whitespace-only password parameters.
• Monitor User Activity: Closely monitor user activity for suspicious password change attempts.

Important: Applying the temporary mitigation requires technical expertise and may introduce new vulnerabilities if not implemented correctly. It is highly recommended to update to a patched version of OSPOS as soon as it becomes available.