Because many legacy sites are abandoned, default credentials often remain active for years.
Since there are no factory-set passwords to guess, why does this search trend persist?
: User data is typically stored in data/users.db.php .
: Instead of rows in a SQL table, user records, privilege levels, and credentials are compiled into a specialized internal storage file called users.db.php inside the application's core data folder.
CuteNews is a legacy, PHP-based news management system. It relies on flat files rather than a standard MySQL database to store data. While it was highly popular in the 2000s for its lightweight design and easy installation, it has largely been abandoned. Today, CuteNews is frequently studied in cybersecurity labs because of its numerous security flaws. cutenews default credentials
If an attacker gains access to these files (via directory traversal or misconfigured permissions), they can crack the hashes offline—especially if weak default passwords were used.
Vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-11447 allow attackers to gain full control of a server by uploading malicious PHP files as profile avatars.
To check if your own or a client’s site is vulnerable:
If you have lost access to your CuteNews panel and do not have the credentials set during installation, you can manually override the system if you have direct FTP, SSH, or file manager access to your web server host. Because many legacy sites are abandoned, default credentials
If an authenticated admin views a comment or an external page containing an embedded malicious image tag ( ), the browser will silently trigger a background command to add a brand new administrative account with default values ( username: a , password: a ) without any confirmation prompt.
Attackers do not manually guess credentials one at a time. Automated scanning tools continuously probe the internet for CuteNews installations and attempt common credential combinations. Some CuteNews installations implement Fail2Ban protection to block IP addresses after repeated failed login attempts, but this only slows down determined attackers—it does not prevent a successful login using a commonly used weak password.
Because CuteNews uses flat files (often stored in a cdata folder), an attacker who gains access can easily view or extract user database files, such as users.db.php .
An attacker discovers a CuteNews 2.1.2 installation. Using the CVE-2019-11447 remote code execution exploit, the attacker first authenticates using a weak credential combination, then uploads a malicious avatar file disguised as a GIF image that contains embedded PHP code. The attacker then gains a command shell on the server, allowing them to browse files, steal data, and pivot to other systems. : Instead of rows in a SQL table,
If you are still relying on CuteNews in 2025, consider migrating to a more secure and actively maintained CMS. Default credentials are just one of many risks (others include SQL injection, XSS, and lack of modern encryption).
Set strict permissions:
If you run CuteNews or manage a server hosting legacy instances of it, immediate action is required to prevent unauthorized access and exploitation.