CVE-2025-1388 in Orca HCM
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2025
Orca HCM from LEARNING DIGITAL has an Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability, allowing remote attackers with regular privileges to upload and run web shells
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-1388 affects Orca HCM version 1.0.0 and later from LEARNING DIGITAL, presenting a critical Arbitrary File Upload flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate file type restrictions within the application's upload functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents during the upload process, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and deploy malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes insecure file upload mechanisms that permit the upload of executable files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious files with extensions such as .asp, .aspx, .php, or .jsp that are typically allowed by the application's upload filters. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user-supplied data is processed without proper sanitization, creating a direct code execution vector that can be leveraged for remote command execution. This flaw particularly affects web applications that handle file uploads without proper validation, making it a common target for attackers seeking persistent access to systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-1388 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further compromise within the network infrastructure. Once a web shell is successfully uploaded and executed, attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally across the network. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it allows regular users or unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access, and T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file validation mechanisms and secure upload handling practices. Organizations should implement strict file type filtering based on content inspection rather than extension alone, enforce MIME type validation, and utilize secure file storage practices. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist of allowed file extensions, performing content-based file type detection, and storing uploaded files outside the web root directory. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to restrict upload functionality to authorized users only, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability also necessitates immediate patching of affected systems and monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts in network logs and system activity.