CVE-2026-14691 Overview
CVE-2026-14691 is a code injection vulnerability [CWE-74] in SourceCodester Multi-Vendor Online Grocery Management System 1.0. The flaw exists in the update_settings_info function within classes/SystemSettings.php, part of the Setting Handler component. Attackers manipulate the content[] argument to inject code into the application. The attack is executable remotely and requires low-level privileges. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be reused by threat actors targeting deployments of this open-source PHP application.
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary code through the settings handler, potentially affecting application configuration integrity and availability.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Multi-Vendor Online Grocery Management System 1.0
- Component: Setting Handler (classes/SystemSettings.php)
- Function: update_settings_info
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-05 - CVE-2026-14691 published to NVD
- 2026-07-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-14691
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the update_settings_info function of classes/SystemSettings.php. This function processes administrative settings submitted through the application's Setting Handler component. The function fails to sanitize or validate the content[] parameter before incorporating it into application logic. An authenticated attacker submits crafted values in content[] to inject executable code paths that the application then processes.
The root weakness is classified under [CWE-74] — improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component. Because the settings handler operates on values persisted for later use, injected content can influence subsequent application behavior beyond the request that submitted it.
Exploitation requires network access to the application and low-privilege authentication. No user interaction is needed. The attack surface is limited to instances of Multi-Vendor Online Grocery Management System 1.0 that expose the settings interface to authenticated users. Public disclosure of the technique on VulDB and the associated GitHub issue tracker increases the likelihood of opportunistic scanning.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input neutralization on the content[] array parameter inside update_settings_info. The function accepts client-controlled array values and passes them into a downstream sink without escaping or type enforcement. This allows an attacker to submit code-like payloads that the application interprets rather than treating as data.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based. An authenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP POST request to the settings update endpoint with malicious values in the content[] array. The vulnerable function processes these values through the Setting Handler. No verified proof-of-concept code is published in the enriched references; the vulnerability is documented in the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion and VulDB CVE-2026-14691 records.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14691
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP POST requests to the settings update endpoint containing unusual content[] array values
- Modifications to system settings records that include script tags, PHP syntax, or shell metacharacters
- Web server error logs referencing classes/SystemSettings.php or update_settings_info
- Newly created administrative sessions preceding settings modifications
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect array parameters submitted to settings endpoints for code-injection patterns
- Audit database rows in the settings table for values containing executable syntax
- Correlate authenticated session activity with settings-modification requests to identify low-privilege users touching administrative configuration
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the Setting Handler component and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform
- Alert on repeated POST requests to SystemSettings.php from a single authenticated session
- Monitor filesystem and database writes originating from the web application process for anomalous content
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14691
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the settings interface to trusted administrator accounts and network segments
- Review current settings records for injected payloads and reset affected values to known-good defaults
- Rotate credentials for any account that had access to the settings handler during the exposure window
- Place the application behind a web application firewall configured to block code-injection patterns
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the available advisories. Administrators should monitor the SourceCodester Security Resources site and the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion for remediation updates. Until a fixed release is available, apply compensating controls at the network and application layer.
Workarounds
- Implement server-side allowlist validation on all content[] values processed by update_settings_info
- Disable or remove the settings update endpoint if it is not required for operations
- Enforce parameterized queries and output encoding across the classes/SystemSettings.php code path
- Restrict the web server user's write permissions to configuration files and executable directories
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
