RCE in Horilla
CVE-2025-48868
Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS). An authenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in Horilla 1.3.0 due to the unsafe use of Python’s eval() function on a user-controlled query parameter in the project_bulk_archive view. This allows privileged users (e.g., administrators) to execute arbitrary system commands on the server. While having Django’s DEBUG=True makes exploitation visibly easier by returning command output in the HTTP response, this is not required. The vulnerability can still be exploited in DEBUG=False mode by using blind payloads such as a reverse shell, leading to full remote code execution. This issue has been patched in version 1.3.1.
EPSS: 0.025 (83.6th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.2 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Horilla — versions 1.3
- Horilla-opensource Horilla — versions = 1.3.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Exploit, Vendor Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (Patch, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (Exploit, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (Exploit, x_refsource_MISC)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-48868?
- CVE-2025-48868 is a high-severity vulnerability in Horilla, classified under Eval Injection. CVSS score: 7.2/10. Published 2025-09-24.
- How severe is CVE-2025-48868?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.2 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2025-48868 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.