Code injection in OpenCATS SettingsUI lets admins run PHP
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
OpenCATS versions before 0.10.0 are affected. The Professional License configuration feature in SettingsUI (manageProfessional) writes license key input into a PHP define() statement in config.php without safe escaping, which lets crafted input change the file's PHP syntax (CWE-94). An authenticated administrator with Settings access and permission to update Professional License configuration can achieve persistent arbitrary PHP execution with web server privileges when config.php is writable. Successful exploitation can read, modify or delete application data and alter the installation.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Description from the CNA
OpenCATS is an open-source applicant tracking system and recruitment CRM for staffing agencies and hiring teams. Prior to version 0.10.0, the Professional License configuration feature in `SettingsUI` (`manageProfessional`) accepts administrator-controlled license key input that is reconstructed into a PHP `define()` statement in `config.php` without safe escaping. Because the application includes `config.php`, crafted input can alter the file's PHP syntax and cause persistent arbitrary PHP execution with the web server process privileges. An authenticated administrator must have Settings module access and permission to update Professional License configuration, and `config.php` must be writable for this write-based path. Successful exploitation can read, modify or delete application data, expose candidate, contact, company, job order and user account information, alter the installation or configuration, and provide a foothold for further attacks. Unauthenticated exploitation and exploitation without Settings access are not established. This issue is fixed in version 0.10.0.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
Upgrade OpenCATS to version 0.10.0, which fixes this issue. The sources list no fixed version for any other OpenCATS release.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
- Fix · CNA OpenCATS (opencats) Fixed in 0.10.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-28 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-54453
- 2026-10-30 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-03 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
More opencats vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-22549 OpenCATS 0.9.4 Remote Code Execution via Resume Upload CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-22120 OpenCATS PHP Code Injection via installer AJAX endpoint CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.2
- TI-2026-36639 OpenCATS - SQL Injection in DataGrid sortDirection Parameter CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.4
- TI-2023-12031 Cross-site scripting in OpenCATS CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
- TI-2023-12032 Cross-site scripting in OpenCATS CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
- TI-2023-12030 Open redirect in OpenCATS CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences