CVE-2025-70758 identifies a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in the chetans9 core-php-admin-panel, specifically within the includes/auth_validate.php file. The vulnerability arises because the application redirects unauthenticated users to login.php using the HTTP header function header(Location:login.php) but does not follow this redirect with an exit() or die() call to halt further script execution. As a result, although the user is redirected, the PHP script continues to execute subsequent code that should be protected by authentication checks. This flaw allows remote attackers who have not authenticated to access protected pages and potentially sensitive data, such as customer databases, without proper authorization. The vulnerability is rooted in a common PHP programming oversight where failure to terminate script execution after sending a redirect header leads to unauthorized access. No specific affected versions are listed, and no patches or known exploits have been reported yet. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2026 and published in February 2026. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates an independent severity assessment. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by exposing protected data and bypassing access controls. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction and can be performed remotely, increasing the risk. The scope is limited to deployments of the vulnerable admin panel. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in PHP applications, particularly proper handling of redirects and authentication logic.

For European organizations using the chetans9 core-php-admin-panel, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data, including customer databases. Unauthorized access to protected administrative pages could lead to data leakage, unauthorized data modification, or further compromise of the web application environment. Given the vulnerability allows bypassing authentication controls without credentials or user interaction, attackers can remotely exploit this flaw with relative ease. This could result in regulatory compliance violations under GDPR due to unauthorized exposure of personal data. The availability impact is limited, as the vulnerability does not directly cause denial of service. However, the breach of trust and potential data loss could severely damage organizational reputation and customer trust. Organizations relying on this admin panel for critical web management functions may face operational disruptions if attackers leverage this access for further attacks or data exfiltration. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for remediation.

To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must update the includes/auth_validate.php script to ensure that after sending the HTTP redirect header (header(Location:login.php)), the script execution is immediately terminated using exit() or die(). This prevents unauthorized users from accessing protected content beyond the redirect. Organizations should audit their PHP codebases for similar redirect handling issues to prevent analogous vulnerabilities. If updating the code is not immediately feasible, implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block unauthorized access attempts to protected admin pages can provide temporary protection. Additionally, organizations should monitor access logs for suspicious activity targeting admin endpoints. Regular security code reviews and adherence to secure coding standards for PHP applications are recommended to prevent such vulnerabilities. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of web applications and ensure timely patching once official fixes are released.