CVE-2025-12615 identifies a security vulnerability in PHPGurukul News Portal version 1.0, specifically related to the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key within the /onps/settings.py file. The SECRET_KEY parameter, which is crucial for cryptographic functions such as session signing or encryption, is fixed and embedded in the source code rather than dynamically generated or configured per installation. This practice undermines the security of cryptographic operations, as attackers who discover the hard-coded key can potentially decrypt sensitive data, forge authentication tokens, or bypass security controls relying on this key. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication privileges, but the attack complexity is high, and user interaction is necessary, which reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 2.3 reflects these factors, indicating a low severity rating. No known exploits have been observed in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability highlights poor cryptographic key management practices in the affected software, which is a common security anti-pattern. Remediation requires replacing the hard-coded key with a securely generated, unique secret per deployment and ensuring that the key is stored securely, for example, in environment variables or secure vaults rather than in source code.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul News Portal 1.0, this vulnerability could lead to compromised confidentiality and integrity of data protected by the SECRET_KEY, such as session tokens or encrypted information. Attackers exploiting this flaw may impersonate users, escalate privileges, or decrypt sensitive communications, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches. However, the low CVSS score and high attack complexity limit the immediate risk. The requirement for user interaction further reduces the attack surface. Nonetheless, organizations operating news portals or web applications with sensitive user data should consider the risk significant enough to warrant remediation. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and potential legal consequences if personal data is exposed. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active targeting but does not preclude future exploitation attempts.

1. Immediately replace the hard-coded SECRET_KEY in /onps/settings.py with a securely generated, unique cryptographic key for each deployment. Use a cryptographically secure random number generator to create this key. 2. Store the SECRET_KEY outside of source code, preferably in environment variables or secure configuration management systems such as HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager. 3. Implement strict access controls on configuration files to prevent unauthorized reading or modification. 4. Conduct a thorough code audit to identify and remediate any other instances of hard-coded secrets or cryptographic misconfigurations. 5. Educate developers on secure key management best practices to prevent recurrence. 6. Monitor logs and user activity for suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. If possible, upgrade to a newer version of PHPGurukul News Portal that addresses this vulnerability once available. 8. Consider implementing additional layers of security such as multi-factor authentication and web application firewalls to mitigate potential exploitation vectors.