External risk intelligence

OpenCATS allows attackers to run any command on your systems remotely.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.3)

CVE-2021-47936

OpenCATS has a critical flaw allowing anyone to upload malicious code disguised as a resume and take control of your system. This is a serious risk for any company using this software for job applications.

5Halo Surface Signal

Missing Authentication

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-47936

OpenCATS is an applicant tracking system. The vulnerable feature is the career job application endpoint, which is explicitly designed to be internet-facing and accessible to the public for resume submissions. Consequently, this specific component is universally exposed in typical deployments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability in OpenCATS allows unauthenticated individuals to upload and execute malicious PHP files through the job application system. This could enable attackers to run arbitrary commands on the affected system without needing any prior access.

  • Publicly accessible job applications are at risk.
  • Unauthenticated remote command execution is possible.
  • This impacts the integrity and availability of the system.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious PHP file disguised as a resume through the application's job application endpoint. The server will then execute commands if the attacker can trick the server into processing the uploaded file.

  • No authentication required.
  • Target careers job application endpoint.
  • Upload PHP resume file.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

Attackers are likely to target this vulnerability due to its direct remote code execution capability in an internet-facing component. The ease of uploading malicious PHP files as resume attachments and subsequently executing commands presents a straightforward path for attackers to compromise systems. While there is no widespread exploitation observed yet, the critical nature and accessibility of the vulnerability suggest it is a prime candidate for weaponization.

  • Public exploit available.
  • Remote code execution.
  • Internet-facing component.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Prioritize blocking all network traffic to the careers job application endpoint. Investigate logs for any signs of successful exploitation, specifically looking for unexpected file uploads or command execution attempts in the upload directory. If exploitation is confirmed, take affected services offline immediately.

  • Block network access to the endpoint.
  • Review logs for PHP file uploads.
  • Isolate services if exploitation is confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

What is OpenCATS and its purpose in recruitment?

OpenCATS is an open-source applicant tracking system designed to help organizations manage job applications and candidate data efficiently. It centralizes job postings, resume collection, and candidate tracking to streamline the hiring process.

How does CVE-2021-47936 allow for remote code execution?

This vulnerability, classified as CWE-306, permits unauthenticated attackers to upload a malicious PHP file disguised as a resume. The system can then be manipulated to execute commands through this uploaded file via the job application endpoint.

What is the specific weakness exploited by CVE-2021-47936?

The vulnerability exploits a lack of proper validation when handling file uploads. By disguising a malicious PHP script as a resume, an attacker can upload it through the careers job application endpoint and subsequently trigger its execution.

What is the potential impact of CVE-2021-47936 on an organization?

Attackers can gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server without any prior authentication. This critical vulnerability, associated with the internet-facing careers job application endpoint, presents a significant risk to system integrity and availability.

What steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of CVE-2021-47936?

To address this vulnerability, it is recommended to block all network traffic to the careers job application endpoint. Organizations should also review system logs for any suspicious file uploads or command execution attempts and isolate affected services if exploitation is detected.

References