CVE-2025-48868: Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS)

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2025-48868 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting horilla. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-95
Published	2025-09-24
Last modified	2026-09-26

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: horilla

Last updated 2026-09-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-09-24 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-26 00:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

horilla horilla DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy horilla || rpm -q horilla || horilla --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison horilla sudo apt install horilla=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo apt-mark hold horilla

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list horilla sudo dnf downgrade horilla-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo dnf versionlock add horilla

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Horilla v1.3 - RCE

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-48868?

horilla: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-48868 being exploited?

CVE-2025-48868 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-48868 affect?

CVE-2025-48868 affects horilla. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). 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 param

How urgent is CVE-2025-48868?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · Django vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-59832 CRITICAL 9.9 UPGRADE Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
CVE-2026-3050 LOW 3.5 UPGRADE A flaw has been found in horilla-opensource horilla up to 1.0.2
CVE-2026-3049 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE A vulnerability was detected in horilla-opensource horilla up to 1.0.2
CVE-2026-24039 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
CVE-2026-24038 HIGH 8.1 DOWNGRADE Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS)

References

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