CVE-2026-1702 is an improper authorization vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Pet Grooming Management Software version 1.0, specifically within the User Management component located at /admin/operation/user.php. The vulnerability is triggered by manipulating the 'group_id' parameter, which is insufficiently validated, allowing an attacker to bypass authorization controls. This flaw enables unauthorized users to perform operations that should be restricted, such as modifying user groups or privileges, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication required (AT:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the public availability of exploit code heightens the threat. The vulnerability primarily affects version 1.0 of the software, which is used by small to medium-sized pet grooming businesses for managing operations and user roles. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix is not yet publicly available, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts by administrators. This vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized control over user management functions, potentially leading to further compromise of the system or data leakage.

For European organizations using SourceCodester Pet Grooming Management Software 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to user management functions, which could lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative actions. This may result in data integrity issues, unauthorized data access, or disruption of business operations. Given the software’s niche market in pet grooming management, the impact is likely concentrated in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the pet care sector. However, compromised systems could be leveraged as entry points for broader network attacks, especially if integrated with other business systems. The remote exploitability without authentication increases the risk of automated attacks or exploitation by opportunistic threat actors. European businesses with limited cybersecurity resources may find it challenging to detect and respond to such unauthorized activities promptly. The medium severity rating reflects moderate potential damage but underscores the importance of timely mitigation to prevent escalation or lateral movement within networks.

1. Immediately restrict access to the /admin/operation/user.php endpoint by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN-only access to administrative interfaces. 2. Implement strict server-side authorization checks to validate the 'group_id' parameter and ensure that only authorized users can perform user management operations. 3. Monitor logs for unusual or unauthorized access attempts targeting the user management functions, focusing on manipulation of the 'group_id' parameter. 4. If possible, disable or limit the use of the affected user management features until a patch is available. 5. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 6. Conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize signs of unauthorized access or privilege escalation attempts. 7. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 8. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to detect unauthorized changes. 9. Consider network segmentation to isolate the pet grooming management system from critical business networks to limit potential lateral movement.