Read the docs
TI-2026-82240 Aliases CVE-2026-54453

Code injection in OpenCATS SettingsUI lets admins run PHP

Priority LOW 34CWE-74Published · Updated

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

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00438 38th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed OpenCATS (opencats): 0.10.0

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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
opencatsOpenCATSbefore 0.10.00.10.0Patch availableCNA
  • OpenCATS Vendoropencats Affected before 0.10.0 Fixed in 0.10.0 Patch available CNA

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

  1. 2026-10-28 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-54453
  2. 2026-10-30 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
  3. 2026-11-03 CISA SSVC decision points changed

References

  • 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
See all 37 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences