CVE-2025-66224
📋 TL;DR
OrangeHRM versions 5.0 through 5.7 contain a command injection vulnerability in the mail configuration workflow. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this to write files to the server and potentially achieve remote code execution if files are placed in web-accessible locations. All OrangeHRM deployments using affected versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- OrangeHRM
📦 What is this software?
Orangehrm by Orangehrm
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
File write to web directories enabling web shell deployment and subsequent command execution.
If Mitigated
Limited to file writes in non-executable locations or command execution with restricted privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of sendmail command injection techniques. No public exploit code available yet.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.8
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/orangehrm/orangehrm/security/advisories/GHSA-2w7w-h5wv-xr55
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup current OrangeHRM installation and database. 2. Download OrangeHRM version 5.8 from official sources. 3. Replace existing installation files with new version. 4. Run database upgrade scripts if required. 5. Restart web server and verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable mail functionality
allTemporarily disable OrangeHRM's mail configuration and delivery features to prevent exploitation.
Modify OrangeHRM configuration to disable mail sending capabilities
Input validation filter
allImplement web application firewall rules to filter suspicious characters in mail-related parameters.
Configure WAF to block requests containing shell metacharacters in mail parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate OrangeHRM server from critical systems
- Deploy host-based intrusion detection and monitor for unusual sendmail command executions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OrangeHRM version in admin panel or by examining source files. Versions 5.0-5.7 are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check OrangeHRM version in admin interface or examine version.php file in installation directoryVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OrangeHRM version is 5.8 or higher and test mail functionality with malicious input to confirm sanitization.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual sendmail command executions with unexpected parameters
- File writes in web directories from mail processes
- HTTP requests to mail configuration endpoints with shell metacharacters
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from OrangeHRM server to unexpected destinations following mail operations
SIEM Query:
source="orangehrm" AND (process="sendmail" OR command="mail") AND (param="*;*" OR param="*|*" OR param="*`*" OR param="*$(*")