CVE-2022-42176 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in PCTechSoft PCSecure version 5.0.8.xw. The core issue stems from the use of hard-coded credentials embedded within configuration files. These credentials provide unauthorized access to the administrative panel of the affected software. Hard-coded credentials represent a critical security weakness (CWE-798) because they are static, often undocumented, and cannot be changed by the end user, making them an attractive target for attackers. The vulnerability allows an attacker with low privileges and local access (as indicated by the CVSS vector AV:L/PR:L/UI:N) to escalate their privileges and gain full administrative control over the PCSecure application. This can lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system managed by PCSecure. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, increasing the risk of exploitation. Although no public exploits have been reported in the wild, the presence of hard-coded credentials in configuration files is a well-known vector for unauthorized access and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability affects an unspecified product version labeled as 5.0.8.xw, with no vendor or product name explicitly provided beyond PCTechSoft PCSecure, which may limit the scope of immediate identification but does not diminish the severity of the issue. The CVSS score of 7.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with relatively low attack complexity and privileges required.

For European organizations using PCTechSoft PCSecure 5.0.8.xw, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Unauthorized administrative access could allow attackers to manipulate security settings, disable protections, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy malware. Given the administrative level access granted, attackers could compromise entire systems or networks, potentially leading to data breaches, operational disruptions, and compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. The vulnerability's exploitation could also facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Organizations in sectors with high security requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, may face amplified consequences. Additionally, the lack of public patches or vendor guidance increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls. The vulnerability's local attack vector suggests that attackers need some level of access to the target environment, which could be achieved through phishing, insider threats, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for robust internal security controls.

1. Immediate mitigation should include auditing all instances of PCSecure 5.0.8.xw to identify the presence of hard-coded credentials in configuration files. 2. Where possible, remove or replace hard-coded credentials with secure, dynamically managed credentials using secrets management solutions or environment variables. 3. Restrict access to configuration files to the minimum necessary set of users and processes, employing strict file system permissions and monitoring access logs for anomalies. 4. Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local access to systems running PCSecure, reducing the risk of unauthorized local exploitation. 5. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative access to the PCSecure panel if supported, to mitigate risks from credential compromise. 6. Monitor for unusual administrative activity and implement intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. 7. Engage with the vendor or software maintainers to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. If no patch is available, consider replacing PCSecure with alternative solutions that follow secure credential management practices. 8. Conduct regular security awareness training to reduce the risk of initial local access through social engineering or insider threats.