CVE-2026-11552: Hard-Coded Password Authentication Bypass in SourceCodester LMS 1.0

Technical summary

CVE-2026-11552 is a hard-coded password vulnerability (CWE-255, CWE-259) affecting the import_users.php endpoint in SourceCodester LMS 1.0. The flaw allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication by supplying a specific input value (CICT_2026) in the raw_password parameter, which causes the application to use an embedded credential instead of validating the provided password. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no privilege requirements.

Business impact

Compromise of a learning management system exposes institutional risk across multiple vectors. Attackers gaining administrative access via this vulnerability could read sensitive student records and academic data (FERPA/GDPR concern), modify grades and course content, inject malicious material into course materials, and establish persistent backdoor access for follow-on attacks. For educational institutions or organizations using this LMS, the reputational damage and potential regulatory liability are substantial, particularly if student or employee personally identifiable information is exfiltrated.

Affected systems

SourceCodester Online Examination & Learning Management System version 1.0 is confirmed affected. The same codebase is also distributed under the name Syllabus-aligned Learning Management and Examination System version 1.0. Organizations using either product variant should treat both as vulnerable. No other versions have been assessed in the available vulnerability record.

Exploitability

This vulnerability is readily exploitable. No authentication is required, attack complexity is low, and the exploit has been publicly disclosed. An attacker with network access to the import_users.php endpoint can attempt exploitation using standard HTTP requests. The simplicity of the manipulation (parameter-based input) and lack of user interaction requirements mean that automated scanning and exploitation tools are likely already in circulation. The window for opportunistic attacks is active.

Remediation

Immediate patching is required. Verify the availability of a security update from SourceCodester that removes hard-coded credentials and implements proper authentication validation for the user import function. Until a patch is available and deployed, restrict network access to the import_users.php endpoint using firewall rules or application firewalls, disable the user import feature if not actively required, and rotate all administrative credentials associated with the LMS to limit damage if compromise has already occurred. Audit access logs for signs of exploitation.

Patch guidance

Contact SourceCodester or consult their security advisory page for the latest patch version addressing this vulnerability (verify against vendor documentation, as specific version numbers were not provided in the initial disclosure). Test patches in a staging environment before production deployment. Given that public exploits are available, patching should be prioritized with urgency. If the vendor has not yet released a patch, escalate to their support team with CVE-2026-11552 and request an expected timeline.

Detection guidance

Monitor for POST or GET requests to import_users.php with the raw_password parameter set to CICT_2026 or similar hard-coded values. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing this specific string in the password field. Review server and application logs for successful imports or user creation events that lack corresponding admin authentication sessions. Monitor user account creation events in the LMS for accounts created outside normal administrative workflows. Enable detailed logging on the import_users.php endpoint and correlate with failed versus successful authentication attempts.

Why prioritize this

Although the CVSS score is 5.3 (Medium), this vulnerability warrants above-baseline urgency because it is a network-accessible authentication bypass with public exploit code in an educational software product that handles sensitive personal data. The combination of low exploitation barriers, confirmed public disclosure, and the sensitivity of information managed by LMS systems elevates real-world risk despite the medium base score. Organizations running this software should treat this as a near-critical remediation target given the institutional data exposure and compliance implications.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.3 reflects a network-accessible vulnerability (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication requirement (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and an isolated scope (S:U). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no integrity or availability impact (I:N, A:N), which accounts for the Medium severity rating. However, this baseline score does not fully capture institutional and regulatory risk inherent in compromising a system that stores educational records, grades, and student personal information. Security teams should apply organizational risk context beyond the numerical score.

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