CVE-2025-66225
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to reset passwords for any user account in OrangeHRM, including administrative accounts, by exploiting a flaw in the password reset workflow. Attackers need access to a valid password reset link for any account they can receive email for, then modify the username parameter to target different accounts. All OrangeHRM installations running versions 5.0 through 5.7 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- OrangeHRM
📦 What is this software?
Orangehrm by Orangehrm
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full compromise of administrative accounts leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation across the entire HR system.
Likely Case
Targeted account takeover of specific users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive HR data and system manipulation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if strong email security prevents attackers from accessing password reset emails, but still presents significant risk.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to password reset emails but is technically simple once that access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.8
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/orangehrm/orangehrm/security/advisories/GHSA-5ghw-9775-v263
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your OrangeHRM installation and database. 2. Download OrangeHRM version 5.8 from the official repository. 3. Replace existing installation files with version 5.8 files. 4. Run any database migration scripts if provided. 5. Restart the web server service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Password Reset Functionality
allTemporarily disable the password reset feature to prevent exploitation while planning upgrade.
# Modify OrangeHRM configuration to disable password reset
# Location varies by installation - typically in config files or admin panel
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to OrangeHRM to trusted users only
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts, especially administrative accounts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OrangeHRM version in admin panel or by examining installation files. Versions 5.0-5.7 are vulnerable.Check Version:
# Check OrangeHRM version via admin panel or by examining version files in installation directoryVerify Fix Applied:
After upgrading to version 5.8, test password reset functionality to ensure username parameter validation is enforced.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple password reset attempts for different usernames from same IP
- Password reset requests with mismatched username parameters in logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual patterns in password reset API calls
- Multiple password change events in short timeframes
SIEM Query:
source="orangehrm" AND (event="password_reset" OR event="password_change") | stats count by src_ip, username | where count > threshold