Description
Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS). An authenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in Horilla 1.3.0 due to the unsafe use of Python’s eval() function on a user-controlled query parameter in the project_bulk_archive view. This allows privileged users (e.g., administrators) to execute arbitrary system commands on the server. While having Django’s DEBUG=True makes exploitation visibly easier by returning command output in the HTTP response, this is not required. The vulnerability can still be exploited in DEBUG=False mode by using blind payloads such as a reverse shell, leading to full remote code execution. This issue has been patched in version 1.3.1.
Affected products
horilla: horilla
References4
- github.com/horilla-opensource/horilla/security/advisories/GHSA-… ExploitVendor Advisory
- github.com/horilla-opensource/horilla/commit/b0aab62b3a5fe6b711… Patch
- drive.google.com/file/d/1XQAJilt77QxkjGEa94CsZRqZIZXa3ET9/view?… Exploit
- drive.google.com/file/d/1hnI9AK3fnpVrTlTRF7aRJsKhZCDIm2Ve/view?… Exploit
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
7.2
HIGH
Score source: CNA
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - EPSS — exploit probability
- 2% percentile: 85 · as of 8 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-95
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.